Harry “Joe” Herron, 82, passed away peacefully at his home on May 26, 2017, after a two-year battle with lung cancer. Joe was born October 6, 1934, in Hopkinsville, KY, to the late Harry H. and Katherine (Word) Herron.
When Joe was in grade school, he and his family moved from Hopkinsville to Evansville’s north side, where he spent most of his youth and attended school. Joe went to Reitz High School and was a member of the football team, including a member of the State Championship team of 1953. He graduated from Reitz in 1954, and shortly after enlisted in the United States Air Force. After finishing military training at Sampson Air Force Base in Syracuse, NY, Joe returned to Evansville to marry his long-time girlfriend, Joyce (Barnes) Herron on December 26, 1954. Stationed in North Carolina at Pope Air Force Base, Joe completed four years of service, and in 1958 he was honorably discharged at the rank of Airman 2nd Class. He and Joyce returned to Evansville, where they raised their family and enjoyed 62 wonderful years of marriage.
Joe was always a hard worker and retired after 30 years with Alcoa. He took pride in caring for his family and his home. He loved driving his tractor, cutting grass, and working in the yard. Throughout his life, Joe and Joyce took many, many trips with their children and grandchildren to the Florida coast. Joe especially loved the beach and walking the oceanfront.
He was a member of St. Paul’s UCC German Township. For 37 years, Joe was a member of the Masonic Lodge 174 of Newburgh and the Hadi Temple. He was also a part of the Warrick County Clowns and Funsters, known as “Jo Jo” the clown. Joe loved being a clown, telling jokes and stories, and making kids laugh, especially his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was a big kid at heart.
Joe loved his family, a good prime rib dinner, a witty joke, and watching TV in his recliner with a slice of his favorite dessert (German Chocolate Cake).
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Herron; daughter, Terri (David) Swain; son, David (Roxann) Herron; grandchildren, Jason (Heather) Swain of Holly Springs, NC, Kyle (Andrea) Swain, Josh Maroni-Herron, Brittni (Joe) Lehman, and Sean Herron (fiancé, Jessica Emge); great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kylee, Xander, Cole, Zaden, Daxton, Corbin, Savannah, Colt, and Baby Ty (due in August); brother, Michael (Sue) Herron of Bouse, AZ, and their children; and the extended Herron family; sister-in-law, Sharon (John) Slack of Carmel, IN; and special nieces, Cynthia (Joe) Martin of McKinney, TX and Angela (Ryan) Williams of Carmel, IN, and their families.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; great-grandchild, Zarek Swain; and extended family.
We will miss his stories, his jokes, his advice, and his laughter. He’s now “clowning around” in heaven.
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