Herbert Richard "Herby" Ennis

1917 - 2016

Herbert Richard Ennis, 99, loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away on October 27th, 2016. Known to all as Herby, he was a longtime resident of the valley. Born on July 20, 1917 in Springlake, Montana to Guy W. and Minnie Graver Ennis. He was the middle son of five boys, ten years younger than the oldest and ten years older than the youngest.

He was three years old when he came to the Valley in 1920. They lived in Rio Hondo for four years and in 1924, they moved to Donna.

He received his schooling in Donna, graduating in 1935 at the height of the Great Depression. Herby went to work at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store, which was owned by Howard Butt, which later became HEB.

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and thirty days after the attack (January 7, 1942), he was in Boot Camp in San Diego, California. He became a radioman and gunner and flew in the back seat of a Marine Dive Bomber. During his first tour to South Pacific, they flew his favorite plane, the SBD Dauntless. On his second tour, they had the SB2C Helldiver. He became a Master T Sgt. and was awarded the air medal with two Gold Stars in lieu of a second and third medal. He served in the south, central, and western Pacific. He was discharged on November 3, 1945 and returned to Donna. There he met and married his loving wife, Eleanor "Buddy" Taormina Loog. They were married 69 years.

He spent thirty-eight years in the food processing business. He was a partner at Taormina Canning Co. He was one of the managing partners and vice-president of Taormina Corp. On his retirement in 1988, he was recognized for his contributions and leadership in the food processing industry by being inducted into the Texas Food Processors Hall of Fame.

Herby is survived by his wife, "Buddy", daughter, Andrew "Andy" Mannering of McAllen, son, Randall Patrick Ennis & wife, Carolyn, of McAllen, grandson, J. Anthony Mannering of Houston, brother, Paul W Ennis and wife, Lydell of Bluffton, Texas and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Guy W. Jr., and wife Betty, Floyd "Beanie" and wife, Janelle, and Alan Lee.

After living 56 years in Donna, he and Buddy moved to Weslaco. For the last 26 years, they have lived at John Knox Village.

Herby was a member of Post 107 of the American Legion since 1946. He was a member of the Texas Food Processors Association, the Texas Canners & Freezers Association, a charter member of the WWII Museum in New Orleans, and a charter member of the WWII memorial in Washington DC.

He served nine years on the Donna ISD School Board, serving as vice president and president.

Herby loved all sports and always looked forward to fishing and hunting seasons.

He always said that a boy never had a better place to grow up than in the Valley.

The Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 31st, 2016, at 10am, at John Knox Village in Weslaco with Rev. Howard Bloomquist officiating.