Breckenridge Texan

Clarence Henry Herring, Jr. entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 21, 2023. His funeral Mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2023, followed by his interment at the Moon Cemetery. A Rosary service, followed by a visitation, will take place in the Melton-Kitchens Chapel of Memories on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

CH, as he was known, was born in Rhineland, Texas, on June 30, 1942, to parents Clarence Sr. and Clara Herring. CH was the third of eleven children and was the oldest son. He often told stories about farming and the mischief he and his siblings occasionally found. He was part of the 1960 graduating class of Rhineland, a group of only five students, and he was the only boy! He married the love of his life, Mary Gulley, on October 6, 1962. They had two daughters, Tonda Marie and Kandi Lanette.

CH went to work as a propane transport driver for a few years. He was eventually hired at Southwestern Bell, where he remained until retiring in 1998. CH and Mary established Herring Insurance Agency, a successful Germania Insurance office, in Breckenridge in 1977. CH was on the Board of Directors for Germania for 29 years up until the time of his passing. He and Mary enjoyed traveling to numerous destinations for conferences and events with Germania.

Above all things, CH loved being “Papa CH.” His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved to take the boys fishing and hunting. He would even let his granddaughter dress him up and fix his hair! In his later years, CH and Mary bought land in Necessity, where they enjoyed countless hours riding in their mule UTV, tending to their place, and cultivating a beautiful property. He and Mary were married for 56 years before her passing on May 21, 2019. CH found companionship with a previous schoolmate and married June Siegler on November 30, 2019. CH was a faithful member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he was active in the Knights of Columbus.

CH was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; mother-in-law, Elaine Gulley; and father-in-law, Thurman Gulley.

He is survived by his wife, June Seigler-Herring; daughters, Tonda Deubler and husband Ricky of Breckenridge, and Kandi Snell and husband Randy of Baird; five grandchildren: Dustin Snell and wife Christina of Baird, Stetson Deubler and wife Whitney of Breckenridge, Jeremiah Snell of Eula, Sterlynn Patterson and husband Travis of Breckenridge, and Zachary Snell and wife Tuesday of McKinney; and great-grandchildren, Kenzie Waggoner and husband Brandon, Blake Snell, Canon Deubler, Damon Snell, Walker and Henry Patterson, and Elijah Snell

CH is also survived by five brothers, Dwayne and Margaret Herring of Amarillo, Texas, Ricky and Diana Herring of Richmond, Texas, Glenn and Harriett Herring of Munday, Texas, Ray and Brenda Herring of Munday, Texas, and Kevin and Robin Herring of Katy, Texas; five sisters, Shirley Holub of Wichita Falls, Texas, Janice and Jimmy Albus of Knox City, Texas, Glynda Herrington-Clark and fiancé Jim Bertagnolli of Castle Rock, Colorado, Betty and Joe Hudson of Abilene, Texas, and Jeanette and Willy Smith of Denton, Texas; along with numerous friends and loved ones.

Pallbearers will be Stetson Deubler, Travis Patterson, Michael “Curly” Pugh, David Easley, Donnie Sechrest, and Tony Reeves. Honorary pallbearers include Dustin Snell, Jeremiah Snell, Zachary Snell, Ralph Beadle, Joe Adams, and John Kieke.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of CH Herring be made to either Meals on Wheels of Breckenridge or the Hubbard Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Donations can be left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Condolences can be made online at meltonkitchens.com.