Herring, Harold W.

Harold W. Herring, 85, of Mount Vernon, died Thursday, April 22, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, from complications due to a recent fall. The visitation will be Monday, April 26, from 10 a.m. until noon at Morgan Funeral Home, where a memorial service for Harold will begin at 1:30 p.m. A private burial, with military rites, at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville, will follow.

Harold was born March 1, 1925, in Mount Vernon. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943 and served in Europe and the Pacific during World War II. Following the war, Harold honored his mother's wishes by returning to Mount Vernon and graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1947. He returned to the Marine Corps, served with the First Marine Division in Korea and retired in 1967 as a first sergeant with a Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. After retiring from active duty, Harold served as a firefighter from 1967-75 on the Marine base at Parris Island, S.C. He returned to his home in Mount Vernon in 1975 and was a member of the Mount Vernon Hahn Howard American Legion Post 480.

Preceding Harold in death were his parents, Raymond and Margie Carpenter Herring; a brother, Donald Lee Herring; a sister, Margaret Grace and her husband, James Coogan; and a longtime, special friend, Mary Strickland Thomsen.

Surviving Harold are two daughters, M. Kay Bryan, Summerville, S.C., and Judy Lynn Herring, Port Royal, S.C.; a granddaughter, Bethy Bryan, Summerville; a sister, Betty Jean (Uri) Martinez, Sun City, Ariz.; 11 nephews;  five nieces; and a cousin, Cheryl Gardner. Also surviving is the family of Mary Thomsen, his “adopted” family.

Harold was a very special man, as he always put his family and friends first, but he will be remembered most for his generosity and loving spirit. Harold was a true hero.