Fred Herriman

(From Buchanan Funeral Home)

Fred Cone Herriman, who died within one week of his 98th birthday, at the Veteran’s Home in Mt. Vernon, MO.

Fred was born on January 10, 1918, in Neosho, MO, the son of the late Fred I. and Emma Cone Herriman. His family moved to Monett when Fred was young. He had two younger brothers, John and Ralph Franklin, both of whom predeceased him. Fred went to Monett High School and Jr. College and then went on to finish his studies in engineering at the University of MO at Columbia. He joined the United States Navy as an aviator during World War II, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross several times and other medals for his valor in the Pacific. He had many close escapes and was the sole survivor of his team of seven planes in the Battle of Midway. Fred opted to become a career officer and retired with the rank of Commander. He and his family lived throughout the USA. After retiring, Fred owned a small business on Staten Island, NY. He was of the Methodist faith.

On March 20, 1944 Fred married Alice Isabel James to whom he was married forty-five years. They had three children. Alice preceded him in death in 1989. In April of 1990 he married Mary Ann Gibbons Walker, then of Monett. They lived in Vacaville, CA and Springfield, MO. After twenty years of marriage, she, too, passed away in April 2011.

Honoring his memory are one son, Fred Jr., of New York State; two daughters, the Rev. Mary Henderson, and husband Ronald, of Fredericksburg, VA and Alice Centers, and husband Dana Clarke, of Bend, Oregon; five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He is also fondly remembered by a host of nieces and nephews in the Tulsa, OK area. Fred was also close to Mary Ann’s children, Bob Walker, of Monett; Jackie Snow, and husband Glen, of Owensboro, KY and Sally Nichols of San Diego, CA

Final rites are pending.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, MO.