George Herndon

George Winston "Dick" Herndon was born February 6, 1928 in Uvalde County, Texas and passed away January 24, 2015 in Uvalde, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Russell and Mamie Mylinda Lacey Herndon; wife of 65 years, Marjorie Nell Bonner Herndon; brothers J.B., Elmer Bryan, William Louis Herndon; sister Cleo Elizabeth Herndon Winn; and daughter Sherrii Jo Herndon.
Dick is survived by his brother Russell L Herndon; sisters-in-law Doris Marilyn Moss and Mary Elizabeth Craig Herndon of Uvalde; children Linda Sue Lively of Uvalde, Sandra Kay Herndon of Austin, Debra Marie and Johnny Ray Wallace of Lampasas, George Richard and Tara Herndon of Morton, and Winston James and Debbie Herndon of Poteet; grandchildren Larry Edward and Tammy May of Uvalde, Tammy Kay Thornton of Uvalde, Sherrii Woodward of Scottsdale, AZ; Halie and Keith Turner of Kempner, John Matthew and Kathryn Elizabeth Wallace Kuykendall of Big Lake, Bonnie Sue Nell Wallace of San Angelo; Mistie Dawn and Trent Kocurek of Bandera, Siegfried and Victoria Lauren D�hring of Cullinan, South Africa, George Ray Herndon of Uvalde, Marjorie Von Herndon of Morton, G.W. Herndon of Richards, and Cassidy Noelle Besinaiz of Morton; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dick Herndon was, above all, the patriarch of a loving family. He and Marge, his wife of 65 years, had a love that lasted and they were devoted to their life together. They both loved their children, grandchildren, greats, and great-greats with all their heart valuing each for their individual character. Family and friends were everything.
Dick came from humble beginnings and some real hardship, such as when he was 7 years old, in 1935 when the family home washed away in a flood. They slept on hay in the barn until they could get to town to get essentials. The next year, a fire destroyed everything again. He learned from his parents to persevere, no matter the hardship.
His children were raised to value hard work and honesty. He believed there were no free passes in life and that each man should make their own way, but when he saw a friend in need, he always opened his heart and did whatever he could to help. He had a gruff exterior that belied the tender heart beneath.
To say that Dick was a rancher is an understatement. He lived ranching. He loved ranching and was an astute judge of cattle, but particularly goats. He got into registered Angora goats and developed one of the largest registered herds while simultaneously having one of the largest commercial herds. He disagreed in philosophy with some of the other breeders, but was respected by all. His goats were recognized as some of the soundest and heaviest shearing goats in the United States, facts that gave them great value. His goats have won Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion and Get-of-Sire awards in such prestigious shows as Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. One of his registered sires, "George" won many awards and was and is a valued pedigree sire, raising the worth of any of George's offspring. Dick and Marge were so proud of "George" that when he died, they had him mounted and he still hangs on the living room wall, a permanent member of the family.
Dick served as a Director of the American Angora Goat Raisers Association and a Director and President of the Texas Angora Goat Raisers Association. He helped many other goat breeders get their start and was always willing to provide goats for area 4-H and FFA youth.
Dick was a character. He would say anything as long as it was honest. Whatever he said always had a least one or two cuss words in it, but, somehow, it was part of his character and rarely offended anyone and if it did offend, it was unintentional. A friend made a sign for the highway entrance to the ranch and, when pressed for a title, Dick said "Dick Herndon's Damn Goat Outfit." And so it was.
He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Hillcrest Cemetery.

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