Richard Herron, 78, of Danville, formerly of Tompkinsville, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023, with his son, Chris, at his bedside and in his wife's presence.  Born August 11, 1944, in Greensburg, IN, he was the son of the late Andrew and Edna Schultz Herron.

Richard joined the US Navy on February 14, 1964 and attended basic training at the Great Lakes Training Center.  After basic training, he was stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He was later assigned to Norfolk, VA aboard the U.S.S. Rockbridge.  His final assignment was aboard the U.S.S. Cheboygan County.  While at sea, Richard sailed to numerous locations including Cuba, Bahamas, Curacao, South America, Nicaragua, and Mexico.  Even towards the end of his life if you ever asked Richard how long he was enlisted in the Navy he would quickly tell you "Three years, ten months, and five days."  Richard was honorably discharged on December 18, 1967.

After the Navy, Richard started work with the Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Company in Clinton, Mississippi and was later transferred to Tompkinsville, Kentucky in May, 1969.  It was in Tompkinsville where Richard met his wife, Myrna Yee, of Honolulu, Hawaii, who was working as the Monroe County Extension Agent for Home Economics.

The couple enjoyed going to Dale Hollow Lake where Richard taught Myrna how to water ski.  Richard and Myrna married July 27, 1972 and were married for over 50 ½ years.  Richard retired from Texas Eastern as a Corrosion Technician on March 20, 2001.  Richard's brother and father also were employed and retired from Texas Eastern.

Richard was absolutely adored by his only son, Chris.  He was a kind-hearted, devoted husband and father who always made time for Myrna and Chris.  When Chris was only 7-months old Richard took Chris to Hawaii all by himself to meet Myrna who was already there.  Richard, Myrna, and Chris travelled each summer to Hawaii thereafter.  As a young boy Chris was always by his father's side whether it was riding on the lawn mower with him or attending Saturday morning coffee sessions with his friends.  Richard taught Chris many outdoor activities including playing baseball, basketball, tennis, roller skating, water skiing, driving a boat, and fishing and hunting.  He always attended Christopher's sporting events and 4-H Talk Meets and Demonstrations.  Richard took Chris to his first UK basketball game on December 13, 1987 where they saw UK beat Louisville on a last second shot by Cedric Jenkins.  Two very memorable trips Richard made with Chris as an adult included accompanying Chris to Las Vegas on a trip with Chris' fraternity brothers and most recently the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. this fall where they toured war memorials, monuments, and Arlington National Cemetery with other military veterans.  Richard was extremely proud of Chris for all his accomplishments including being elected as the Boyle County Attorney in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

After living in Tompkinsville for almost 40 years Richard and Myrna moved to Danville in October, 2008 to be close to Chris and his wife, Stacie, and their child, Emery.  He was later blessed with another grandchild, Laney.  Richard a/k/a "Papa" loved his two granddaughters and enjoyed every minute he got to spend with them including blowing bubbles and playing outside with them when they were younger and taking them fishing.

Richard was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church.  He also was a mason and member of the Franklin Lodge #28 Danville.  In his younger years, he had a paper route, worked in a grocery store, and enjoyed roller skating.  In adulthood he enjoyed playing golf, fishing, water skiing, and hunting.  He also enjoyed occasional trips to the casino to play blackjack and the slots with Chris and his nephew, Kyle.

Richard is survived by his wife, Myrna Yee Herron; son, Christopher Kala (Stacie) Herron of Danville; grandchildren, Emery and Laney Herron of Danville; and brother, Andrew (Sue) Herron of Gainesville, FL.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Caroline Rogers.

Graveside Service will be held at Camp Nelson National Cemetery with military honors.

A Guestbook is available at www.wlpruitt.com .

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to one or more of the following organizations:

• Bluegrass Care Navigators

Attn:  Bluegrass Hospice Care

1733 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40504

https://www.bgcarenav.org/give

• Honor Flight Kentucky

Honor Flight Kentucky

P.O. Box 1, Winchester, KY 40392

https://honorflightky.org/donate

• Lexington Avenue Baptist Church

339 W. Lexington Avenue, Danville, KY 40422

https://www.lexingtonavenuebaptistchurch.org

• Danville Centenary United Methodist Church

1441 Perryville Road, Danville, KY 40422

https://danvillecumc.org