JAKE THOMAS HERRING JR.
May 26, 1921 -Feb. 20, 2011
LAGRANGE -- Jake Thomas Herring Jr., 89, LaGrange, passed away at home Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011.
Mr. Jake was born May 26, 1921, in Lenoir County to the late Jake Thomas Herring Sr. and Nancy Braxton Herring, and was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Christine Gautier Herring, and two sisters, Mary H. Motsko and Edna H. Howell.
Mr. Jake was a country boy, who brought tall tales and a great sense of humor and a hard work ethic to his small home town. He was a soldier, farmer and postman.
Mr. Jake served in the United States Army, 5th Army Air Corps during World War II. Mr. Jake was inducted into the United States Army Sept. 4, 1942, at Fort Bragg, N.C. Mr. Jake served in the American Theater, the Asiatic Pacific Theater, where he received three bronze service stars, and with the Phillipine Liberation Forces, where he received a bronze service star. He left the Philippines Nov. 6, 1945, and arrived back in the States Nov. 20, 1945. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Army Dec. 8, 1945, from Ft. Bragg, and then hitchhiked home.
He served with the United States Postal Service for 20 years.
In 1940 Mr. Jake helped lead the LaGrange Bulldogs to win the County Basketball Championship.
A service of remembrance will be held Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ronnie Hobgood and the Rev. Ronald Fletcher officiating. Interment will be Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery.
Mr. Jake is survived by two sons, Jake Thomas "Sonny" Herring III and wife, Linda, of Kinston and Joseph Franklin "Baby Jake" Herring and wife, Sherie, of LaGrange; grandson, Charlie Herring and wife, Lori, of Wilson; great-grandchildren Caroline P. Herring and Jake M. Herring; a sister, Josephine H. Iesel of Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express its thanks to the services of Dr. Randolph, Dr. Gallaher, Community Health & Hospice, Sam Jones, Ray Herring and Mr. Jake's friends and neighbors who assisted with his care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45250-0301; and LaGrange First Freewill Baptist Church, 802 S. Caswell St., LaGrange, N.C., 28551.
The family will receive friends following the service, and at other times they will be at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Herring at 5293 Paul's Path Road, LaGrange, N.C., 28551.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.
Arrangements are with Rouse Funeral Home of LaGrange.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on February 21, 2011 1:48 PM