Roy J "Junior" Herring of Cushing departed this life Saturday evening August 19, 2023 at the age of 97 with family by his side.

Herring was born on a farm in Lincoln County near Chandler on May 11, 1926. He was the second oldest of six children of Everett Leroy and Myrtle (Moore) Herring. He attended Victor School in Lincoln County. In 1944 he was drafted into the U.S. Army.

Entering the army at the height of the World War II, Herring was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.

Junior was awarded the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the French Fourragere, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge and Expert Combat Infantry Badge.

When he returned from the war, Herring joined the Army National Guard as a corporal in California where his family temporarily lived. Later, he returned to Chandler OK .

He married the love of his life, Patty Hesser on March 20, 1948 after the two had met on a blind date. Patty and Junior worked hand and hand throughout their business life supporting each other through every endeavor. Then after 11 years Patty and Junior welcomed their only child Pamela Gail into their world. The couple had been married 70 years when Patty passed away in 2018.

Junior loved to hunt quail with his Brittany Spaniel and German Pointers. He also hunted deer, and ducks. He was an avid fisherman all his life. He especially enjoyed fishing at friend Willy Boley's catfish pond with his brother George and daughter Pam. On his 90th birthday they caught 90 lbs of catfish! He loved watching horse races, baseball, softball and just like his Dad, Monday Night Wrestling.

Most people in Cushing will remember Herring from his days at Rice's 18 Service Station where he provided full service, washing windshields, checking oil and tires and even vacuuming cars with every gasoline purchase, and doing it all with a smile. Everyone remembers Junior as always having a positive attitude with smiles and giggles to share.

Herring also had a Gibble Gas Station on Cherry Street, worked for Earl Gibble as a truck dispatcher and driver as well as managing the Cimarron Turnpike gas station near Pawnee. In 1981, he retired from Lionel Harris Oil Company.

Perhaps the most memorable of Herring's habits was that he always had candy in his pocket ( lifesavers) to share. He loved to offer everyone that visited him a Dr. Pepper. He especially loved little Miss Rinely Jane's visits.

In 2015, he was presented with a handmade quilt by the local "Quilts of Valor" foundation and was chosen to participate in the Oklahoma Honor Flight Program where he was accompanied by his daughter and fellow veterans on a trip to Washington DC. He called it a "trip of a lifetime."

In November 11, 2022, a portion of State Highway 18 north of Cushing was named for the WWII veteran and Bronze Star recipient. The two-mile stretch of highway runs past Herring's home on North Little Avenue and the site of Rice's Service Station, where he once worked, then enters the city limits from the north.

At 96, Herring was still serving his country and community through his activity with American Legion Post 108 where he had been a longtime member. In the recent past, he was a member of the Honor Guard which performs ceremonies at veterans' funeral services and other service-related activities.

Besides his parents, Herring was preceded in death by his wife, Patty, in November 2018; brothers George Herring and Sister in-law Allie, Joe Herring; sister Jewel Greenfield and brother in law Virgil; brother in law Lewis Clair Curry and granddaughter Denise Pearse.

Survivors include daughter Pamela G. (Pam) Edmoundson and her husband G. Vernon of Bixby; sisters Artie Curry and Glenda Phipps and grandson, Scott Edmoundson.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

American Legion Post 108

PO Box 108

Cushing OK 74023

A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the funeral home.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am, Friday, August 25, 2023 at The First Church of God in Cushing with burial following at Parkland Cemetery.