Funeral services for Arthur Ray “Herky” Herrington, 83, of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Woody Meredith officiating. Burial will follow at Athens Cemetery.
Mr. Herrington passed away in the company of his two favorite girls, his wife and daughter, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 in Tyler.
Arthur Ray Herrington was born June 29, 1929 in Jonesboro, Texas the son of B. Herrington and Anna Mae Ester Herrington. He was raised in an orphanage in his early youth due to his mother’s untimely death and family hardships during the depression. “Herky” joined the Navy in 1948. Shortly after his time served he married the love of his life, Dorothy Kathleen Young, in Fort Worth on Dec. 16, 1952. He graduated from North Texas University in 1956 as the first college graduate in his family. He soon began working for Texaco Corporation, eventually retiring as a sales manager after 34 years of service. Arthur was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens and a staunch Republican. He was an expert gardener and took great pride in growing the best tomatoes. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting and playing cards with his buddies. He was an animal lover and his faithful companion Katy, a Sheltie, stayed by his side day and night. Mr. Herrington had a special hobby in his life that he spent many hours working at. He was an avid player on the stock market and truly enjoyed making financial moves on a daily basis. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. He was a family man and will be missed by all he knew and loved.
Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and four brothers.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Dorothy Kathleen Herrington; one daughter, Cheryl Kathleen Herrington of Sugar Land; one son, Arthur Ray Herrington Jr. and wife Linda of Sapulpa, Okla.; one sister, Ruby Daniels of Houston; one niece, Deborah Kay Swafford of Amarillo; one nephew, John Daniels of Houston; one great-niece, Whitney Wells of Amarillo; two step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday, April 5, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Bill Bohanan, Dr. David Barrett, Dr. Douglas Curran, Bobby Kelly, Clyve McDaniel, Adam Piper, Tom Patterson and Jim Schatzell. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Floyd Cheatham.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.
You may light a candle or write condolences to Mr. Herrington’s family at: www.hannigansmith.com