Hugh M. Herndon

Blessed & Highly Favored.

If you knew Hugh in any capacity, you likely heard these words more times than you can count. Whether you were family or a close friend, a nurse walking in to check on him, a waitress or waiter, or even just a telemarketer who happened to get his voicemail, that is always the way he greeted others and answered the question, “How are you?”

Hugh was incredibly blessed, perhaps most by the love of his life, his wife, Betty Herndon. He won her over with a peppermint stick back in 1955 at Lamar High school in Houston, TX, and they spent 62 wonderful years building a beautiful family and a thriving ministry together. Hugh was also blessed with four amazing daughters; Cindy Herndon Johnson of Conroe, TX, Heather Herndon Wright of Lucas, TX, Laurel Herndon Wilson of Sherman, TX, and Stephanie George of Plano, TX. Along with them, he also inherited two phenomenal son-in-laws, Randolph Wright and Michael George, who were always just a phone call away whenever he needed tech support or to borrow a truck. He was also blessed with more grandchildren and great grandchildren than will fit on this page. A true living manifestation of Psalms 127:5.

And his favor was also abundant.

At just 11-years-old, Hugh had a terrible accident. He and his beloved brother, Jack, had attended a summer camp together, and on the final day they were waiting for their parents to pick them up. With much anticipation, Hugh climbed a very tall tree to try and spot their car when he fell to the ground below, landing himself in a coma for 72 hours. But the Lord had big plans for his life, even then, so he experienced a full recovery.

Many knew Hugh only as a minister, but before entering into pastoral work full time, he’d actually had quite a full life in both military service and business. He served briefly in the army before issues with his ears placed him in the reserves for 7 years where he was able to serve honorably. From there he began a wonderful career at Kodak, where he became one of their top salesmen and was with the company for 26 years.

Hugh and Betty also started “Sharing Our Life” ministry, worked within World Ministry Fellowship, and served in jail ministry for decades at Lew Sterrett in Dallas. Also as part of Hugh’s second act, he began teaching other preachers how to preach, an adventure which took him to Lagos, Nigeria, as well as Kyiv, Ukraine.

The favor that followed him throughout his life allowed doors to open everywhere he went, and the exemplary sales background he acquired at Kodak equipped him with the ability to pitch perhaps the thing he was the most passionate about: Having Eternal Life in Jesus Christ.

No one ever had to question the strength of Hugh’s faith. It was present in everything he said and did. The way he loved others and cared about not just their life here on this earth but their future in heaven was always apparent. Seldom would you have a conversation with Hugh without it becoming a Bible study topped off with a blessing. Actually, seldom isn’t the right word. Never is more accurate. He always made sure that every person he came into contact with knew that not only was he blessed and highly favored, but so were they! He made sure we all knew we were children of God and that he expected to see each and every one of us again in the kingdom of Heaven… where we are positive he is now patiently awaiting our arrival.