John Pud Herold

1947 - 2022

Herold, John Pud

July 1, 1947 - March 18, 2022

John Pud Herold passed away on March 18, 2022, in San Antonio, TX after a lengthy illness during which he showed his fighting spirit. Gifted with kindness, wit, extraordinary generosity and a feisty spirit, he died as he lived, surrounded in his last days by loving members of both of what he called his "biological" and "logical" families.

John was born on July 1, 1947, in Omaha, the third of eight children in a wacky family. He attended many schools, including a stint in seminary, before graduating from Creighton University in 1969. In the mid-seventies, he moved to Texas where he worked in the restaurant industry in Dallas and Austin. John began his professional career as an Engineer in 1980 with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, known then simply as "the phone company," in Austin. In 1987, he transferred to San Antonio, where he built his career and life. He was appointed to launch the well life program to benefit AT&T employees in San Antonio, and he is credited with improving the health and lives of many through the programs and personal mentoring he provided. He later became a safety compliance manager and retired in 2000. Throughout his career at AT&T he was involved in a leadership capacity as a volunteer with the Telephone Pioneers and the Community Relations Teams.

In 2006, John began teaching in the Texas A&M TEEX Certified Safety and Health Official program. He, together with his canine assistant, Toot, had a talent for teaching and a calling to help his students. John enjoyed teaching in the program and continued until his illness made it impossible.

John was an intrepid global traveler, a marathon runner and an unabashed bon vivant. But his true love and legacy is in the lifelong friends from all walks of life that he made throughout his life, from whom he knitted his "logical" family. Many of his friends have noted that he touched everyone he met, which he did, sometimes by appearing as a 6' 2" green rabbit on Easter morning or driving hundreds of miles to visit a new friend or help out an old one. To be his friend or family was to be enveloped in his generous love and spirit. Fittingly, when asked what he wished from his life, he said that he hoped that he was loved by those whom he loved. He surely was.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rich and Ann Herold; and sister, Judy Jarolimek. He is survived by husband, Jose Gonzalez; siblings, Rich Herold, Jr., Bob and Sondra Herold, Teresa DeHart, Kim and Dawn Herold, Lance and Debbie Herold, Ann (Herold) and Tim Smith; ex-sister-in-law, Gayle Herold; many nieces and nephews; countless friends; and the ever-faithful Toot. All miss him dearly.

In lieu of customary remembrances, donations may be made to the San Antonio AIDS Foundation, Texas Public Radio, or a charity of your choice.