Obituary for Raymond Herren

Raymond Roy Herren of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Wednesday, May 27, 2015, in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Oklahoma City at the age of 84 years.

Raymond Roy Herren was born on April 8, 1931, in Maud, Oklahoma, to Francis Lee and Lucy Pearl (Hurst) Herren. As a young boy he moved with his family to Arkansas City, Kansas, before moving to Blackwell where he completed his education. Following his education he began working at the Hazel-Atlas Glass Plant. He married Esther Virginia Barrows on June 3, 1951, in Blackwell. On October 3, 1952, he entered the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on August 21, 1954. Upon his discharge he returned to Blackwell and began his career with the Blackwell Zinc Company where he worked until the plant closed in 1974. He then worked in the oilfields for Bob Boyd Construction and later Darling Drilling Company. His wife preceded him in death on January 5, 2015, and he continued to make Blackwell his home. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and trapping. His greatest joys came from his family and gardening where tomatoes were his specialty.

He is survived by four daughters, Virginia Stojakovic and husband Marv of Blackwell, Janice Redding and husband Mickey of Edmond, LaDonna Hale and husband Terry of Ponca City, and Sarah Wagnon of Tulsa; two sons, Steven Herren and wife Tammie of Blackwell and Curtis Herren and wife Tracy of Tonkawa; three brothers, Donald Herren, Bennie Herren and Marvin Herren all of Blackwell; thirteen grandchildren; and nineteen great grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Kenneth Herren; a sister, Darlene Points; and a grandson, Rodney Watkins.

Services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 1st in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Mike Ebert officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery with military rites performed by the United States Army.

Casketbearers will be Todd Hale, Ryan Hale, Joel Herren, Nick Grove, Erik Grove and Heath Hale. Serving as honorary casketbearers will be Caleb Herren, Mike Murray and Jason Bell.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the Veterans Administration Hospital for Palliative Care in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.