Guy Herrick passed away on July 28, 2021 in Oklahoma City, OK. Guy was born on July 1, 1947 in Havre de Grace, Maryland to Everett and Wanda (Guy) Herrick and grew up in Aberdeen, MD. He graduated from Aberdeen High School and later in life he completed a BS degree in behavioral psychology. For many of his early adult years, he worked in the tire business associated with Michelin, which he always considered to be one of the best although he gave a nod to a few other brands. In mid-life, he changed career paths when he was recuperating from an injury, and he graduated with an AAS from Del-Tech College, and later obtained a BS from Wilmington College. At that point, he began his career counseling and helping untold numbers of people better understand themselves, their decisions, and how to improve their lives. He worked in several group home settings with satisfaction and always the spirit of compassion and helpfulness. His voice was one that could calm down intense situations when someone was at their lowest or upset times. Guy had a way, as others often said. He loved his work.
The other great love of Guy’s life was painting historical miniature figures. These were assembled from kits, similar to models but much more detailed usually. His favorite subjects included mountain men, Native Americans, Medieval knights, Roman and Greek soldiers, Mongols especially Genghis Khan, and pirates. On occasion, he painted figures for his wife including Boadicea (Queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe who led the Welsh against the Romans), Queen Elizabeth I (the hardest figure to paint according to Guy because of the skin tones), Lady Jane Digby, and Lady Jane Grey (the “Nine Days Queen of England). Throughout his almost fifty years of painting figures, Guy had done hundreds of figures. He sold some, he gave many away, and he still kept a few hundred on display until recent years. He loved to sit and “talk with his boys” frequently. Along with gaining pure pleasure from painting, Guy showed his work at numerous shows throughout the country and won many awards. He treasured most the camaraderie of being with fellow painters, oohing and aahing over the work each other did and talking methods. After he had become established, he conducted several training sessions at shows to show/teach others his method of dry brushing and using enamels and oils, which he had developed in what he called “Guy’s Way.” He continued to learn from other painters such as Robert (Bob) Knee, Robert (Bob) Fifer, Kevin DeLashmit, Steve Scott, and Nick Majerus, among many others. He wrote articles and step-by-step demonstrations for figure magazines and online forums, especially the Planet Figure Forum.
He is preceded in death by his parents Wanda and Everett Herrick. He is survived by his wife Bertha Wise of Oklahoma City; his sister Joy Ann Herrick of Timmonium, MD; his daughter Kelly Herrick English and son-in-law Darryl English of Sharptown, MD; his daughter Nori Herrick of Seaford, DE; his granddaughters Casey and Stephanie English, his stepdaughter Anna Paulk of Edmond, OK and stepson Chris Paulk of Ocilla, GA; and numerous cousins.
His family wishes to express their gratitude to the doctors, nurses and other staff at Integris SW Hospital and Integris Hospice House for all of the compassion and expertise in caring for Guy. Everyone has been a blessing. Special mention is to Dr. Shane Biedermann who showed great compassion.
Guy will be cremated according to his wishes and have his remains scattered in the mountains so he could fly with the hawks. He desired no funeral or other kind of services. He would like to be remembered every time you see a hawk soaring above which may have his spirit within.
(Arrangements are with Advantage Funeral Home and Cremation Services in South Oklahoma City. Friends can make a donation to a charity of their own choosing in Guy’s memory.)
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