John Gordon Herndon, Jr., of Lizella, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the age of 90 after battling the effects of Alzheimer’s and lung cancer for several years. A native and lifelong resident of the Middle Georgia area, he introduced himself as John but was known by family and long-time friends as Gordon, Jr., and as Uncle JuneJune by many of his nieces and nephews. He was a loving son, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. He was a kind person with a generous heart, always willing to help when he saw a need. He brought joy, laughter, and love to his family and friends. He always maintained a sense of humor and adventure and as a result had a never ending supply of tales to tell. His stories, jokes, generosity, and spirit will be missed by all who knew him.
John was born in September of 1927, the sixth of nine children born to Ruth Whitehurst Herndon and John Gordon Herndon, Sr. He held several jobs in the Macon area, such as delivering groceries for Carstarphen and Sons Company, while growing up during the 1930s and 1940s. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1946, serving as a seaman on a submarine tender in the Panama Canal Zone. Upon returning to civilian life he worked at the Macon Naval Ordnance Plant (Fuse Plant) until he went to work for the federal government at Robins Air Force Base. He retired from the Base in 1980.
Throughout his life, John enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, traveling, woodworking, and spending time with family and friends. He was a skilled craftsman who could build anything that needed to be built and repair anything that needed to be repaired, all with the precision of someone who was trained to work within thousandths of an inch. One of his favorite camping locations was Cades Cove, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He would drive his family on the loop road each morning and evening to search for deer, turkey, bear, and other wildlife. Each day brought the challenge of counting more animals than the day before. Trips to the beach provided great enjoyment as well, especially when he had the opportunity to go deep sea fishing. He and his wife, Evelyn, were able to travel to a wide variety of places after retirement. They visited Hawaii, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and a few other locations. Many of their trips were with his brothers and sisters-in-law. They always enjoyed the trips. The children and grandchildren always enjoyed the stories and tales they shared after returning home.
John was a founding member of the Middle Georgia Motorcycle Club, which was affiliated with the American Motorcycle Association, and provided many community service opportunities for its members. He served on several of the club’s committees and was the president of the club in 1953. In January of 1968 John became a member of Lizella Masonic Lodge #663. He held many of the positions in the lodge and served as Worshipful Master in 1974. He has also been a member of the Scottish Rite Lodge since 1968.
John was active in his community and church. He and his family were members of the Lizella Recreation Club and participated in as many club activities as possible. John served the club as Pool Director for a period of two years, coached several teams, and could often be found behind home plate as a volunteer umpire. John and his family joined Lizella Baptist Church in 1966 when they moved from Macon to Lizella. He served the church as the grounds keeping chairman for several years. He also supported the youth programs, such as the Royal Ambassadors, and softball teams as often as possible. He and his wife began attending Fellowship Church of Lizella, Georgia, in 2002. They have enjoyed the friends, fellowship, and support this church community has provided to both of them.
John was preceded in death by his parents: John Gordon Herndon, Sr. and Ruth Whitehurst Herndon; his daughter, Connie Herndon Edge; sisters: Launa Agnes Herndon, Carolyn Kathleen Herndon, Annie Ruth Herndon Thompson, Mary Lois Herndon King, Lillian Marguerite Herndon Walker; his brother, Robert Cornelius Herndon; Brothers-in-law: Robert King, Hunter Thompson, James (Jimmy) Walker, Lloyd Chambers, Steve Evans, Olin Carden, Thomas Wynn, Joseph Collins, and Carlton Williams; sisters-in-law: Mary (Bunny) Halbrook Herndon, Lessie Collins Carden, Ruby Collins Evans Adkins, Mary Collins Wynn, Rachel Collins, and Monnelle Collins; several aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and many close friends.
John is survived by his wife of 61years, Evelyn Collins Herndon; his daughter, Launa Herndon Williams and her husband Edwin Williams of Winston, Georgia; son-in-law, Jeffery R. Edge, of White, Georgia; granddaughter, Emily Williams Wood and her husband Brian Wood, of Moultrie, Georgia; grandsons: Benjamin Edison Williams and his wife Dr. Leah Corley Williams, of Statesboro, Georgia; Zachary Franklin Williams and his wife Emily Moore Williams, of Franklin, North Carolina; and James Preston Edge and his wife Dana Mittag Edge of Charlotte, North Carolina; and his namesake, great-grandson John Emerson Wood. He is also survived by his sister, Exelle Herndon Chambers of Macon, Georgia; his brother, James Marion Herndon of Seminole, Florida; sisters-in-law: Faye Fussell Herndon, of Hernando, Mississippi; and Sara Collins Williams, of Danville, Georgia; and many other relatives and friends.
The family will visit with guests and relatives from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home, 3969 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31204, on Monday, July 2, 2018.
Funeral services will be held immediately after visitation in the Chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow. Pastor Jack Thompson will officiate all services.
Through the years John and his family supported the Masonic Children’s Home of Georgia, P.O. Box 4183, Macon, Georgia, 31208; the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; and the Youth and Children’s Programs and Summer Camp sponsored by Fellowship Church of Lizella, Georgia, 4967 Sandy Point Road, Lizella, Georgia, 31052. Please consider these organizations or a charity of your choice if you choose to make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers.
