James Richard Herron

James Richard Herron passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Friday, December 2, 2016. He is now in his eternal home and rejoined with many friends and family members. He was 86 years old.

Richard was born on July 16, 1930, in Chicago, IL, and grew up not far from there in Wheaton, IL, prior to the family moving to southern California when he was nine years old. After a two year stint in the United States Army, where he was a radar technician, Richard moved to Fresno in the early 1950's, to attend Fresno State College, where he graduated with distinction, earning the honor of Magna Cum Laude. After graduation, he began his career at National Cash Register (NCR Corporation), repairing cash registers and bank machinery. He was widely known throughout his life as a guy that was "good with his hands" and "could fix anything". Growing up in a poor family during the "Great Depression" and World War II necessitated that.

Through a friend in college, Rod Guild, Richard met his future wife, Marvel Mae Guild, and they were married on June 30, 1957. Less than two years later, their son, Kenneth, was born, followed by Steven and then Jeffrey. Tragedy struck in Spring of 1966, when Marvel died suddenly from a brain aneurism. Richard was tasked with being the sole living parent of three young sons, ages three, four and six. Although he wondered why this happened and how he was going to move forward, Richard was never one to feel sorry for himself. His strong faith in God instilled in him at a very young age by his devoutly Christian parents, along with the very strong support from the Herron and Guild families, helped him carry on as a single parent. A few years later, Richard's father, James, introduced his son to a lady he knew from People's Church, Charlene Roberta LeBard. Charlene was a recent widow who suffered the tragic loss of her husband in a traffic accident, leaving her to care for their nine year old son Robert. After dating for a short time, Richard and Charlene were convinced that they and their four sons were brought together by God and the two were married on April 18, 1970, at the home of Pastor G.L. and Jackie Johnson. In addition to both working full time jobs, Richard with NCR, and Charlene with People's Church, the couple decided to start an Amway distributorship out of their home. In addition to that, they purchased a Launderland Laundromat franchise that opened in their neighborhood by Ahwahnee Junior High School. For many years, Richard spent his days working at NCR, and spent his nights and weekends holding and attending Amway meetings and fixing broken machines at the laundromat, which was a regular occurrence.

Richard and Charlene were active in People's Church and Amway, where they made numerous good friends. A few years after retiring from his 25 year career with NCR, Richard started his own cash register repair business, Best Cash Register, serving small retailers in the central San Joaquin Valley. In 1998, the couple retired and bought a home overlooking Millerton Lake along Sky Harbor Road. Richard and Charlene were active in the rural community, where they met some wonderful people who became very close friends.

Charlene passed away on July 16, 2013, at the age of 75. Richard loved living at the lake and remained there for two years, supported by some truly awesome friends in the community. Richard and Charlene's sons are very grateful for the care and support that these friends gave to their parents. Due to health reasons, Richard and his beloved canine companion, Annie, relocated to the Windham Senior Living Center in North Fresno. Richard's ready smile, and little Annie's waging tail, endeared them to the residents there at Windham. Shortly after moving in, Richard found love a third time. He, and another resident there, Lori Cairns, met in the dining room and became fast friends. Friendship and admiration grew into love, a love most appreciated because it came at an unexpected time in their lives. Again, it seemed, God had His hand in bringing together two wonderful people, to spend together whatever time they had left on this earth. So, on August 19, 2016, the two were married in a small, private ceremony. The couple excitedly moved into a new home, the Carmel Village Senior Living Community in Clovis. Richard and Lori knew that their time together would eventually end, just not quite so quickly. Richard's sons will be eternally grateful that their father found a third eternal love and had a blessed 15 months with Lori before moving on to be with Jesus.

Richard was found by all to possess a quick wit, a gentle disposition, infinite patience, and a love of conversation. He will be sorely missed.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, James E. and Anna Marie Herron; his step-mother, Emma Margaret Herron; his sister Alice; his brother Bob; and his spouses, Marvel and Charlene.

He is survived by his loving wife Lori; his four sons and their families; a sister, Sue of Redmond, OR; grandchildren, Melanie, Stephanie, Emma, Jason, Jessica, Mandy, Tiffany and Ben; and a great-granddaughter Parker.

A Celebration of Richard's Life will be held at Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.