John F. Herzer

JULY 24, 1931 – AUGUST 30, 2010

John Fred Herzer, 79, of Austin, beloved husband and father, died Monday, August 30, 2010 at Seton Hospital, Austin, Texas.

He was born in Thrall, Texas on July 24, 1931 where he started his careers in farming, ranching and business. Although he had travelled the world, did business in many countries, and lived in Taylor, Lubbock and Austin, he always considered Thrall home.

A man of the land and his cattle, he started working at age 16 during ginning season at Thrall Cooperative Gin. He was promoted to General Manager of the Gin. On January 6, 1955, he married Anna Beth Stanford. In 1963, Herzer was elected as the General Manager of the Cen-Tex Cotton Oil Mill in Thorndale, which marked the beginning of his years of leadership in the Cooperative Association. With Cooperatives Managers and Directors training as well Business Management classes, Farm Credit System classes, and public relations studies at Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University. He became a successful leader and was ultimately elected to the position of General Manager and CEO of the Plains Cooperative Oil Mill in Lubbock, the world’s largest cotton seed oil mill where he introduced a sunflower program as an alternate crop for oil production and was nicknamed “The Sunflower King.”

During his business career, he was instrumental in establishing Producer’s Exchange Insurance Company and in creating a producer-owned trucking association. While at the helm, Plains Co-op built the world’s first Castor Bean processing plant at Plainview, TX. He later initiated West Texas sunflower business with NIDERA, a Dutch conglomerate in Rotterdam. He served on dozens of Boards including the Texas Planting Seed Association, Bryan, TX (President); The Texas Federation of Cooperatives (President); Executive Committee of Soy-Cot Sales, Inc., Des Plaines, Illinois (Director and Member); Insurance Committee of the Texas Federation of Cooperatives (President, Director, Chair); Texas Cottonseed Crushers’ Association (President); Natural Food & Fiber Committee of Texas (Chair); Research & Education Committee of the National Cottonseed Products Association, Memphis ,TN, (Chair); and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Producer’s Exchange Insurance Company in Dallas, TX. He served as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Houston Bank for Cooperatives and as a Stockholder and Member of the Board of Directors of Lubbock National Bank. He served as Chairman of the committee to establish the chair for Roy B. Davis Cooperative Chair at Texas A&M University.

He garnered a number of awards included Certificate of Honorary membership in the Young Homemakers of Texas, Honorary State Farmer, Outstanding Recognition Award Area VII Young Farmers, and Cooperator of the Year by the Texas Federation of Cooperatives in 1975.

He served as a member of the Foundation Board at Texas Tech University; member of the President’s Advisory Council at Texas Tech University and member of the Board of Directors of the Red Raiders Club, the Industrial Board of Lubbock Opportunities Industrial Center and was a member of Lubbock Power and Light Board of Directors.

He served in every lay capacity of the Lutheran church during his lifetime and served as councilman of Shepherd King Lutheran Church in Lubbock. He was president of the congregation of St. John Lutheran Church in Thrall when the current church was built – the church where his burial services will be held.

In his retirement, he took great delight in participating in the business and personal activities of his children and wife, particularly his wife’s interest in genealogy. He took great pride in his personal accomplishment of designing the flag for the Stephen F. Austin’s “Old 300” organization, which was approved and marketed by the organization in June, 2010.

He was preceded in death by his parents William Christian and Selma Goetz Herzer, one sister, Kathryn Herzer Cmerek; and one sister-in-law, Martha Stanford Palla of Plano. He is survived by his wife, Anna; one son, John Clifford Herzer, of Austin; one daughter, Anne Davis and husband Phillip of Houston; and two granddaughters, Whitney and Lauren Davis of Houston. Also, four brothers: Willie Herzer and wife Janet of Thrall; Allen Herzer and wife Judy of Humble, Howard Herzer and wife Mary of Liberty; Also, three brothers-in-law: George Cmerek of Taylor, John Stanford and wife, Henrietta, of Cedar Park, and Frank Palla of Plano; three sisters-in-law: Linda Petterson of Minneapolis, MN; Karen Krieg and husband, Will, of New Braunfels, and Judie Gustafson and husband, Darrell, of Taylor. He is also survived by scores of nieces, nephews and friends.

The family is grateful for the loving care provided by the staff at Southwest Regional Cancer Center (Texas Oncology), and especially Drs. John Doty and Jason Melear, Sharon Whillock, R.N., and Ellen Kashdan.

The Lutheran Service for the Burial of the Dead will be at 2 pm Friday, September 3, 2010 at St John Lutheran Church in Thrall, TX. The family will be in visitation from 6-8 pm, Thursday evening September 2, 2010 at Condra Funeral Home in Taylor, TX.

Pallbearers are Kyle Nixon, Alvin Arnett, Jacob Matthew Andrade, Rusty Prentice, Matthew Marchant, Frank Palla, Jr., Kelly Cmerek and Mark Herzer.

A catered lunch will be served in the Annex of the church after the burial in the Taylor City Cemetery.

eral Home, Taylor, TX.