John W Herndon Jr.

John W. "Jim" Herndon Jr. 1928 ~ 2013 Our beloved husband, father , brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away May 31st 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 84. Dad was born December 2, 1928 to John W. Sr. and Bonnie Mae-Belle Hunter Herndon in Carrol County, Arkansas. Dad proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean War Conflict. He was wounded while attached to the 27th Wolfhound Regiment and received many awards and decorations including the Combat Infantry Badge and Purple Heart. He returned home and relocated to southern Idaho in 1953 where he later met and married the love of his life Diane Cranney on June 20, 1958 in Oakley Idaho. Dad was a self-taught automobile and diesel mechanic. He was a master at anything he put his hands to. He retired in 1990. He was a lifetime member of the 25th Division and the 27th Regimental Historical Societies, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He loved to tell the stories of his life as a young saw miller in the woods of Arkansas and his memories of the war. He enjoyed meeting people and also enjoyed having his family around him. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diane, children: Karen Paulsen (Chad), John W. Herndon III (Deborah), Kathy Castagno (Paul) and Traci Dastrup (Randy); sisters: June Meyers, Danny Roberts and Dixie Faatz; brothers: Obediah and Rex. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents John and "Mable" Herndon and sister Evelyn Metcalf. The family would like to express appreciation to the medical staff at the Salt Lake Veterans Administration Hospital, Mt. Olympus Rehabilitation and Harmony Home Health & Hospice for their quality care. A viewing will be held June 4th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel 3401 Highland Drive Salt Lake City, Utah. Funeral services will be held June 5th at 11:00 a.m. in the Cottonwood 3rd Ward Chapel at 6301 South 2300 East Holladay, Utah where friends may call 90 minutes prior to service.