Joseph Glenn Herndon

Joe was born in Parkton, NC, on July 15, 1938, the third youngest of eleven children.He graduated from Parkton High School in 1956 and UNC-Chapel Hill in 1960.

Joe was a member of ROTC-USMC while an undergraduate at Carolina. He went to Basic Training in Quantico, VA, from 1960-61, and was next assigned to Camp Lejeune, NC. By then, he had reached the rank of 2nd lieutenant.

On December 23, 1962, Joe married his beloved sweetheart Marion Davis, of Lumberton, NC. They had been introduced on a blind date. They honeymooned in Florida.

Soon after their marriage, Joe returned to Quantico for further training. He spent time in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and Okinawa before being sent to Vietnam in 1965. Stationed near DaNang, he served as a supply officer. He had guard duty many nights and often went beyond the call of duty when it came to dangerous assignments. For that, he earned a Bronze Star with V-Combat Medal. During his time in Vietnam, he was promoted to the rank of Captain at age 27.

After he returned home to his wife Marion and Camp Lejeune in 1966, he decided to leave the Marine Corps and go into business for himself. He joined the local Jaycee Club and met some men in the drycleaning business who were prosperous. The rest is history. Joe purchased Dixie Cleaners and Laundry in Raleigh and grew it into a successful multi-state operation as Consolidated Drycleaning and Laundry Equipment Company, building an excellent reputation over many years with employees and customers alike. He was known for his skills as a salesman and his generosity with his employees. He believed in a fair deal. “He did as much as he could, for as many as he could, for as long as he could,” said his dear sister-in-law, Paula Bodenheimer.

Joe enjoyed traveling with his wife and other family members and friends. In later years, he and Marion especially enjoyed traveling with the Friendship Force. He also liked sitting by the pool and reading. He loved his grandchildren beyond measure. He regularly and generously supported Trinity Baptist Church, as well as Smile Train, Heifer International, and Toys for Tots. His passion for education for his children, grandchildren, and other family members is a lasting legacy of his love.

In his final years, while living with Alzheimer’s, he was cared for by the staff at Springmoor Retirement Community and Briana Giffis, who all appreciated his sense of humor and kindness.

Joe is survived by his wife Marion, daughters Jennifer Puryear and Cheryl DeFrank (Mike), grandchildren Ruth Puryear, Mary Puryear, Evan Lloyd, Audrey Lloyd, and Claudia Lloyd, as well as other treasured family members and friends.

The celebration of life will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC, on Wednesday, March 6th, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception. Visitation will be held at Trinity at 1:00pm.

Brown-Wynne funeral home is managing the arrangements.