Clarence Joseph "C.J." Herbsleb, Jr.

Born September 29,1937 in San Antonio, C.J. exemplified bravery, integrity, and compassion throughout his 40-year career in law enforcement; first as a Houston Police Officer and then as a Harris County Constable with Precinct 5. He joined the Houston Police Department on December 28, 1959, Academy Class #23. Throughout his whole career with the department, he was assigned to the Special Operations Division. He retired from HPD on December 30, 1988. C.J. was highly respected by his colleagues throughout his career.

C.J. was blessed with a loving family. He married his wife of 61 years, Myrna Joyce on September 7, 1962 in Houston. With unwavering love and support, C.J. and Myrna raised three children, Candy Murray, Keith Herbsleb and Kimberly Young, all of Houston. C.J. was preceded in death by his sisters, Carol Ann Maignaud, Marie Annanette Skinner and his parents Josephine and Clarence Herbsleb, Sr. He is survived by his sisters Barbara Auchter and Jeri Herbsleb.

As a grandfather, C.J. (Papa) found immense joy in the presence of his five grandchildren, Chase Murray, Carter Murray, Colton Murray, Brandon Herbsleb and Sarah Herbsleb. He cherished every moment spent with them while watching them grow up.

C.J. was a loving husband, devoted father, and a cherished grandfather. He was kind, soft-spoken and always had a smile on his face. He always made time for his family. C.J. and Myrna both loved going country western dancing, antiquing in Canton, TX and traveling the globe with family and friends. C.J. had a fascination with antique telephones and read voraciously any book about World War II. In his retirement, C.J. became somewhat of a gym rat and loved walking the neighborhood greenbelt with friends.

Services to honor and celebrate C.J.’s life will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home at 2 pm on November 11th, with a reception to follow at the funeral home. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Houston Police Foundation (www.houstonpolicefoundation.org) in C.J.’s name.

We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have reached out with condolences, support, and kind words during this difficult time. Your love and support have provided us with strength and comfort. We especially would like to thank C.J.’s caregivers who provided great comfort to him and his family during his last days; Whitney Windsor, Dwight Berry and Fortune Oyewole.

Though we mourn the loss of C.J. (Papa) Herbsleb, we take solace in knowing that he is with our Heavenly Father in heaven and his legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the memories he left behind.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the family.