Mr. Carl E. "Eddie" Hereford

Carl E. "Eddie" Hereford, 66, of St. Albans, passed away December 15, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer, at Hubbard Hospice House West with his wife by his side. Eddie was born April 22, 1947 in Charleston and was a son of Charles Robert and Marjorie Lowe Hereford. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Hereford. Eddie graduated from St. Albans High School in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served for five years and was stationed in Goldsboro, N.C., before finishing his service in Okinawa, Japan. He attended East Carolina University on the GI bill, graduating with a bachelor's degree in science in 1975 and a masters degree in education in 1982. Eddie loved being outside in God's creation and had studied stars, trees, birds, rocks and weather as early as eight years old. He carried that passion into a teaching career. He began teaching high school science in the late 1970s in eastern North Carolina, including a few years at Williamston High School, before moving to Raleigh where he taught for 15 years at Sanderson High School. He taught for a few years at a private school in Raleigh and for Franklin County Schools before retiring from full-time teaching in 2003 to return to St. Albans. He enjoyed substitute teaching and continued to do so until his health declined. Teaching, running, traveling and family were Eddie's passions. After taking up running in high school, Eddie competed in marathons while stationed in Japan and eventually all over the U.S. with the North Carolina Track Club during a racing career that spanned more than 10 years. He competed in the 1968 and 1972 U.S. Olympic Trials, ran the Boston Marathon four times and previously held the North Carolina marathon record. He coached cross country and track at Sanderson High School for five years before giving it up when he became a father, but continued to run or walk every day as long as he was able. He kept a log of all the miles and locations he ran--some as far away as Germany--and his total mileage over four decades was more than 75,000 miles, which is three times around the world. Above all, Eddie was a faithful Christian to his death. He taught Bible classes for adults, children and high school students and constantly offered his time by sending cards, making calls and visiting those in need. His unforgettable sense of humor and enthusiasm for life helped him relate to anyone regardless of age or background. His faith only increased upon his cancer diagnosis. While he decided to battle his illness, he also was prepared for his heavenly reward at any time. His example of remaining faithful to God during difficult and uncertain times was a shining light to those who knew him. Eddie is survived by his wife, Jane Spurlock Hereford; daughter, Marlowe Hereford of Idaho Falls, ID; stepchildren, Shelley Bowman of St. Albans, Christopher Bowman of Sissonville and Ginny Nelson of Charleston; sisters, Mary Ellen Murphy of San Antonio, TX and Charlotte Blackburn of Melbourne, FL; brother, Robert Hereford of Poca; step grandchildren, Alex Williams, C.J. Bowman and Kasie Bowman; step great-grandchild, E. J. Williams; several nieces and nephews. A celebration of Eddie's life will be 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, 110 B Street, St. Albans with Minister Craig Culbertson officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 4:00 p.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. The family would like to give a special thanks to David Lee Cancer Center, CAMC Memorial Hospital, Dr. Suzanne Cole and Dr. Joshua Bradford.