Obituaries

John T. Herring Jr., affectionally known to all as Jack, passed away gracefully into the arms of his Lord following a massive heart attack on January 3, 2020 at the young age of 84.  Born in Suffolk, Virginia on September 30, 1935 to John T. Herring, Sr. (Tommy) and Margaret Herring; Jack spent his childhood having fun and playing baseball for Suffolk High School where he excelled as a pitcher, once pitching a no-hitter.  Jack was a popular young man and was voted President of his senior class.  He and his younger brother Richard grew up in a family of simple means and learned the value of hard work and frugal spending yet wanted for nothing. 

Jack graduated from Suffolk High School in 1954 and was accepted into the School of Accounting at William and Mary.  Ever gregarious, Jack made many long-lasting friends while at William and Mary, joining the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and participating as a cheerleader, maybe not so much to root on the team but to be near all the pretty coeds.  His roots at William and Mary grew long and strong and he was an active alumnus until his passing, rarely missing a homecoming where he fondly reminisced with The Old Guard (those who graduated 50 plus years ago) and enjoyed singing the old songs and visiting his brothers from KA.  He had many long and dear friendships from his college days and was always proud to be a William and Mary Indian.

Upon graduating from William and Mary, Jack moved to Richmond where he took a job and during this time, he also served in the Army National Guard.  Acting on a hunch he asked a pretty young lady also from his hometown of Suffolk out on a date.  She was duly impressed by his fancy Plymouth with “wings” and red leather seats.  Thus, began a true love story; Jack and Kay Spivey were married on March 25, 1961 and enjoyed 58 years of an exemplary marriage.   They moved to Newport News, VA and had two children, John III, born in 1964 and Kathy, born in 1966.   Jack worked at several jobs and professions; stockbroker, salesperson, and manager of a plumbing supply warehouse; taking them to Roanoke, VA and then to Winchester, VA.  While raising John and Kathy through high school in Winchester he and Kay took a chance and opened a fine men’s clothing store naming it John Herring, Ltd.  He and Kay hit a home run with the store expanding it into a larger location, adding women’s clothing and riding the wave of preppy dress in the 1980’s.  He sold it at the right time and he and Kay spent a year at Sunset Beach where the family had happily vacationed for many summers.  Sunset Beach forever had a place in Jacks heart.  During this time Jack and Kay began travelling several states representing fine clothing lines which necessitated them moving closer to the Charlotte, NC area where they settled in Denver, NC.  They lived in Westport on the Lake and then on the golf course where they discovered their home church, The Episcopal Church of St. Peter by the Lake.  They made a two-year journey to Evergreen, CO but were led back to the Denver area where they resided until Jacks untimely passing.  During all of these years together Jack and Kay enjoyed many adventures, usually in conjunction with visits with their children John and his wife Angel and grandchildren Danielle and Megan and with Kathy and her husband Gary and grandchildren Isaac, Maggie, and Faith Hellard.  Trips to England, Ireland, France, Colorado, Montana, Utah, California, Florida, and many more fun and exciting places were common and well planned as Jack was a meticulous planner.  He and Kay were in wonderful health and took good care of themselves, enjoying walking their dog Max, but always gave time for others helping in their church, with Meals on Wheels and more.  Jack always had a smile on his face and loved to visit and always had a hug for the ladies.  He was a good husband and loved Kay dearly.  He was a good father, grandfather and brother always striving to be a good example.  His legacy lives on in his wife, children, and grandchildren by the way he led his life.  He was loved by all and will be sorely missed by many.  Jack suffered his heart attack waiting to board a plane to visit his family for Christmas.  He fought hard for 11 days in Coronary ICU before succumbing to his heart attack.  The family wishes to thank the amazing doctors and staff at Novant Presbyterian Hospital for their compassion and professionalism. 

Services will be held Friday, January 10th at The Episcopal Church of St. Peter by the Lake at 2:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following.  In memory of Jack and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Alexander Community Concert Series in care of The Episcopal Church of St. Peter by the Lake (Care of Ben Benoit, St. Peters, 8433 Fairfield Forest Rd., Denver, NC 28037) or Home Meals Program, Care of East Lincoln Christian Ministries, P.O. Box 421, Denver, NC 28037. 

Jack, Dad, Granddaddy; you will be missed.  We thank God for your life; see you soon.