Jerry Don Herndon (Tulia)

Jerry Don Herndon, 88, of Tulia passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, November 29, 2024 in the Central Church of Christ with Mr. Stacy McCasland officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at the funeral home.

Jerry Don Herndon was born on September 6, 1936 at his grandparents' home in Floyd County. He was the first born of Ray and Mary Lee Herndon. He later became big brother to little sisters Carolyn and Linda. The first 5 years of his life were idyllic according to him. His parents lived on the same farm as his grandparents, Joe Hardy and Dora Exum and their teenage daughter Bernice. He enjoyed spending as much time as he could with them and usually rode his dog Old Snow over to visit! He loved "going to town" with them and remembers getting to get a coke out of the cold-water ice boxes. It was such a special time in his life! He went to school at Valley View until it consolidated. He started 4th grade at Tulia and had this pretty girl in his class that would eventually change his life someday. However, he wasn't interested in her at that time. Bettie Lu said, "he did give me a valentine in the 5th grade but that was all there was for many years!" He played basketball and was the kicker for the football team, he ran track and was in all the ag classes. He graduated from Tulia High School and went one year to Abilene Christian College, and he saw that the pretty girl from his class was also going there. He said many years later, he went away to college and realized he had a pretty flower growing right here in his own backyard! He also attended Texas Tech to study agriculture and became an avid Tech fan. Instead of graduating from college he decided to marry that pretty girl from his 4th grade class! Jerry and Bettie Lu (Gatewood) were married December 20, 1957 at the Central Church of Christ in Tulia, TX. Jerry was a devoted and loving husband, and they began their life together on the farm. He had always wanted to be a farmer/rancher and used some very innovative ideas throughout his lifetime to become a successful farmer. He loved being able to repair all the farm machinery and even impressed his dad with his knowledge of figuring out how to fix something. He was an inventor and designed a "high boy" that would help the seed wheat farmer. He was so proud that it worked like a charm. He was baptized at 16 and was a faithful member of the Central Church of Christ. He signed up for the National Guard at 17 1/2 and he served for 8 years. He loved fishing, and his favorite spot was Lake Mackenzie. He loved telling stories about his time with his buddy Dan Rogers riding motorcycles all around that area. He was a member of the Amarillo Gem and Mineral Society, that's where he learned about panning for gold. He told Bettie Lu to sign them up and they spent 10 wonderful days looking for gold in Colorado!

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Mary Lee Herndon, his sisters Carolyn Stewart and Linda Liles, and nephew Preston Gatewood.

He is survived by his precious wife Bettie Lu Herndon of 66 years and 11 months; his brother-in-law, Larry Stewart, his nephews: Andy and Sharman Stewart, Brit and Amanda Liles, Dan and Connie Gatewood, Jeff Gatewood, Mike and Vicky Gatewood, Nieces: Kandis Gatewood, Charlcie Gatewood, Retta and Nolan Blount, A'Lisa Liles, Angie and Eric Cox and many beloved nieces and nephews. Bettie Lu recalls all those nieces and nephews making a beeline to run straight to Uncle Jerry! He will be missed by so many.