M.G. "Buddy" Herring Jr.

M. G. “Buddy” Herring, Jr. of Dallas, Texas, passed away on March 2, 2016. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all that knew and loved him. Buddy, founder and chairman emeritus of The MGHerring Group, was considered a leader and visionary in the shopping center industry. Over four decades he developed more than 30 shopping centers, primarily regional enclosed malls in the United States and Mexico. He proudly served as Worldwide Chairman of the International Council of Shopping Centers in 1982-83. He was one of the association’s longest serving trustees.

Buddy was born on April 19, 1941, in Meridian, Mississippi, to Myron Garfield Herring and Mary Charles Howell. He moved to New Orleans in 1954, where he graduated from Fortier High School in 1960. One of his proudest accomplishments was serving as the top cadet and Colonel of the Fortier High School ROTC. Buddy attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and served in the ROTC. His service in the ROTC and passion for the military led Buddy to join the U. S. Army. In 1964 he entered the retail business in management, eventually moving into shopping center development, leasing and management.

Buddy is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Edna Grayson Herring; daughter, Heather Herring Stanton, son-in-law, Sam Stanton, of Dallas, son Gar Herring, daughter-in-law, Jayne Chobot Herring, of Laguna Beach, California, three granddaughters, Gracie Stanton, Meissa Herring, and Inara Pazienza; two stepchildren, Lori Grayson Norvell of Plano, Texas, and Alan D. Grayson and stepdaughter-in-law, Natalie Arthur Grayson, of Flower Mound, Texas; three step-grandchildren, Brandon Gage Norvell, Lily Bea Grayson and Luke Harmon Grayson; one sister, Rosemary Herring Merrell of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; nephew, John Merrell of Nashville, Tennessee, and niece, Virginia Merrell McDonough of Houston, Texas.

Buddy was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Charles Howell Madgic, his father, Myron Garfield Herring, Sr., and his stepmother, Laura Herring.

The visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 9th at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas. The Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday, March 10th, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas. Interment will follow in Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sparkman-hillcrest.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in tribute to Buddy Herring.