John A. Herrera Jr. of Umatilla died on Oct. 31, 2023 in Boise, Idaho at the age of 75.
He was born on Jan. 31, 1948 in Torrington, Wyo. to John Sr. and Paula Rodriguez Herrera.
The family moved to Sidney, Neb. when he was 1. John attended kindergarten through fifth grade at the Sioux Army Depot and sixth through 10th grade in Sidney. His family then moved to Hermiston in 1965 and he graduated from Hermiston High School in the class of 1967. John then attended Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton. He sold cars for a time before beginning his 30-plus-year career as an insurance agent.
John served on the board of directors for the Hermiston Kiwanis Club; was chairman of the Hispanic Youth Conference; volunteered in the grade school reading program SMART; president of the Hermiston Baseball Commission; Little League coach for 28 years; tournament director for several state Babe Ruth tournaments; was a founding member of the Hermiston Kids Wrestling Club; and was appointed by the governor to the Community Corrections Board, as well as the Chemical Demilitarization Citizens Advisory Board.
John enjoyed playing guitar, horseback riding and playing and coaching sports, and took great pride in his yard.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Terry Herrera; sons, Thad Herrera and wife Cindy, and Tracy; sister, Betty Lewter; brothers, Ray Herrera and Angelo Herrera and wife Debbie; sister-in-law, Vonda Cash; grandson, Nico Herrera and his wife Kayda; granddaughter, Cadence Herrera; great-granddaughters, Emmeleigh and Zoey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by a son, Tim Herrera; his parents; in-laws, Aaron and Evelyn O’Dell; sisters-in-law, Beverly Zeeglen and Wilma O’Dell; brothers-in-law, Dick Cash and Larry Lewter; and a nephew, Rick Cash.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, Hermiston.
Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of John with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
