John C. "Jack" Herring

John C. "Jack" Herring

Salem - April 12, 1934 - December 24, 2018

Retired United States Air Force Major John "Jack" Herring, age 84, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve from Parkinson's disease. Born in Newberg, Oregon, Jack was raised on a farm and attended McMinnville High School, lettering in wrestling and graduating with honors in 1952. He married Jerry (Lucey) in 1953 and remained her husband until she preceded him in death in 2017. After High School Jack enlisted in the ROTC and attended Oregon State University on an Aeronautical Engineering scholarship. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and continued to wrestle for the college's varsity team. After OSU he accepted his commission in the Air Force and was one of 5 candidates selected to attend The Ohio State University's Master of Geodetic Science program as part of a joint military effort to develop modern GPS, which he subsequently spent many years advancing. After graduation, Jack served a tour of duty in Korea, and for the following two decades Jack and Jerry were stationed at a number of military bases and posts in states including: California, Mississippi and Texas. After starting a family, they continued to be assigned to various installations throughout the US in Cheyenne, Boston and finally just outside Washington D.C. where Jack served as the Chief of Survey for the Defense Mapping Agency at Fort Belvoir. Jack traveled extensively during his military career, visiting 30 countries. Upon his retirement in 1977, he and Jerry came home to Oregon, where they settled in Salem. Jack had a second career as the director of Geographical Land and Design Systems - a city and county sponsored mapping agency. After his second retirement he and Jerry continued to travel, visiting several countries, most frequently the UK. Jack enjoyed attending Beavers football games, as a season ticket holder for over 20 years, square dancing and live theater and music. He was active in his church, a member of the Elks Club, head of his HOA and a member of the Military Officers Association of America - at one time serving as chapter president. He was a caring member of his community who frequently volunteered his time. Jack is survived by his son Paul Herring and daughter-in-law Jean Robertson Herring of Portland, daughter Michelle Herring of Salem, brother Alan Herring of Southerland and his sisters Janice Hering of Gleneden Beach and Jean Marie O'meara of Eugene. Jack was a gentle and kind man who will be missed by many and forever in our hearts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 2nd at 10:30 AM with Recitation of the Rosary starting at 10:00 AM, at St. Edward's Catholic Church (5303 River Rd. N.) in Keizer, Oregon. Assisting is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.