Robert W. Herndon

Robert W. Herndon, known to his friends as Chip, passed away on November 8, 2022 at the age of 74. He was an honor student at Arvin High, and enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1966 after graduation. He served during the Vietnam War with special forces where he earned many service awards including a purple heart. Chip attended Idaho State on a wrestling scholarship where he competed in Olympic Trials, became an Elder in the Mormon church, and later was an active participant of Promise Keepers. Chip retired from the Marine Corps, then worked as a journeyman electrician while attending Law School. He changed degrees and got his teaching certificate and Masters from California State Bakersfield. Chip taught at Shafter and San Diego Unified until he retired in 2011. Chip, an avid handball player, enjoyed sharing his love of the game with children and friends. Chip leaves behind a large family including his wife Janie and six children Nicholas Herndon, Becky Meek, Natalie Stephens, Seth Bayliffe, Holly Bayliffe, Kimberly Feaster and their families including 12 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother, Jean Flory father, Robert W. Herndon and his son, Scott Herndon. Celebrations will be held in both North Carolina at 1:00 pm Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the American Legion Post 129, 1500 Old Dow Road, Carolina Beach, NC 28428 and later in Bakersfield, California, on April 15, 2023 at the Elks Lodge. In lieu of flowers please donate to: American Legion Post 129 Carolina Beach, NC, Wounded Warrior Foundation, Fred Lewis Foundation for Youth Handball or Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame.