Thomas Edward Herring

Thomas E. Herring 94, of Bakersfield, died Tuesday May 19th at home.
Tom was born near Burgaw North Carolina, on the family tobacco and cotton farm. He was the oldest of 9 brothers and sisters and is survived by his brother Bennie.
Tom served in the US Navy for 3 years from 1942-1945 and was stationed in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. After his naval service, he retired from Marathon Oil Company after 30 years as a plant operator.
Tom enjoyed water skiing, always wanting to be the first boat on the water in the morning. He also spent many hours with his two boys riding motorcycles in the local hills and in the mountains near the forks of the Kern. The family also enjoyed many road trips together, traveling throughout much of the United States. After retirement, he and Mert spent their summers in Colorado, where he had daily fishing trips with his "liars club" friends. Tom's sense of humor affected all who knew him with favorite sayings, "who dat"?, "Tom talking", and "Merts houseboy". Tom will be missed by all, especially Meredith, Tom and Debbie, Andrew, Nate and Julie, Nicholas and Gregory.