Joe L. Herring (1928 - 2018)

"Joe Lyle Herring, 89, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on June 9, 2018.  Services will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street on Saturday, June 16 at 11:00 am.  Visitation will be from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.  Joe was born October 15, 1928 in Ruston, LA to Joe Otis Herring and Valcie Lyle Herring.  After graduating Fair Park High School in Shreveport, LA, Joe achieved his bachelors degree from LA Tech with a degree in Wildlife Management in 1949 certifying him as a wildlife biologist.  He met his wife, Rosalie Haggard, while at LA Tech and they were married 67 years until her death in November 2017.  While in high school, Joe was on the National Championship Intercollegiate Rifle Team beating out the Army and Navy teams.  His love of the outdoors began at an early age with hobbies including pigeon racing, outdoor photography, archery, hunting and fishing.  Joe loved and appreciated the freedoms we enjoy in our country and was in the National Guard 3 years while at LA Tech, then served in the US Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for 2 years and the US Army Reserve for 6 years.  After marrying Rosalie, they moved to Alabama where Joe started his career as a wildlife biologist.  Joe moved back to Louisiana in 1955 taking a job with the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries as a district supervisor in Monroe, LA.  He then moved to Baton Rouge and held the position of Chief of the Fish & Game followed with Assistant Secretary for LDWF, then Chief of Game and retired from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as Secretary in 1995.  Joe has been very active in many clubs including the East Ascension Sportsman's League, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, the Baton Rouge Sportsman's League and has served on numerous boards promoting wildlife conservation.  His awards for service to wildlife include from the LA Wildlife Federation Governor's Program- Conservationist of the Year, Professional Wildlife Conservationist of the Year, Conservation Education of the Year and the President's Cup; the LA Outdoor Writer's Association Conservationist of the Year to name a few.  Joe and Rosalie raised 2 daughters, Sandy and Jan, spending their weekends taking Sandy to horse shows and Jan duck hunting to the "˜marsh hilton' in Pecan Island and an annual dove hunt. Joe and Rosalie attended every Lee High game their daughters cheered at and had Sandy and Jan in church every time the doors were open. The mold was broken when God made Joe and Rosalie parents and grandparents exemplifying servant's hearts toward their family and friends.  One of Joe's favorite pastimes was entertaining family and friends at an annual fish fry in their backyard, crawfish boils and cookouts.  He loved cooking and sharing life stories with everyone.  Joe, also known as Paw, loved his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalie and his parents. Survivors: daughters, Sandy Kleinpeter and husband Chat, Jan Peterson and husband David; grandchildren, Kelle Grezaffi, Claire Meyer, Kate Richardson, John Peterson, Caroline Moore, Joel Peterson, Christy Jones, Elizabeth Peterson and Josh Peterson; and 17 great grandchildren. Joe was saved at a young age at a Hyman Appleman revival in Shreveport, LA. He was a member of University Baptist Church where he and Rosalie received an Outstanding Service Award in 2016. Have your life ready to meet Jesus"¦now, today while there is time.  Our family would like to thank The Haven for their wonderful and loving care they gave to our dad.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to 2 organizations Joe held dear to his heart for the conservation of wildlife. They are: The Louisiana Wildlife Federation and The East Ascension Sportsman's League, PO Box 446, Gonzales, LA 70707-0446.