Fred Gilson Herring, Jr., 87, passed away in his home on December 25, 2015 in Perkins, Oklahoma.

He was born on May 7, 1928 at Parkland, Oklahoma, to Fred Gilson and Clauice Ina Blackwelder Herring. He was the 10th of 12 children.

Fred’s family moved from their farm near Parkland to the Delta and Olathe, Colorado, area in 1936. They returned to the Agra area in 1942.

Fred joined the U.S Navy in 1948. After boot camp in San Diego, California, he was assigned to Barber’s Point and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. From there he transferred to Tonque Point Naval Base at Astoria, Oregon. He was again sent overseas in 1952 aboard a destroyer which was actively engaged in the Korean conflict. He returned to the states, docking in Long Beach, California and from there he received his honorable discharge in 1953, after serving his country for five years.

While stationed in Astoria, Oregon, he met and married Darlene Mae Truman on August 16, 1950. After being discharged from the Navy, they moved to Cushing, then Chandler, Oklahoma for a brief period, where he worked for a local propane company. In 1954 they moved to Grand Junction, Colorado and Fred was employed as a core driller searching for uranium deposits. They traveled through several states. After moving back to Oklahoma and settling in Oklahoma City, he worked for his brother-in-laws as a plumber apprentice and after acquiring experience began his formal five year schooling and on-the-job training for a Journeyman plumber. During the ensuing years, he traveled to many states to pursue his chosen profession, including Virginia, California, Nevada and Washington.

In 1971, Fred and Darlene bought a farm near Agra, Oklahoma and entered the dairy business. Fred continued to work at the plumbing trade except for one year when he stayed home and operated the dairy. They sold their milking herd and quit the dairy business in 1976.

During his years on the farm, Fred travelled to various places where he met with brethren from the Church of the Firstborn. He had been baptized in 1953 when he was released from the service. He began preaching during his travels and developed a love and deep respect for his church family.

He retired in 1986 and he and Darlene travelled in recreational vehicles throughout the southwest visiting friends and relatives. They spent the first five years of retirement in Texas during the winters and in 1996 they began going to Arizona for the winters, but their summers where spent in the Montrose and Grand Junction, Colorado area. Fred made three trips to Alaska driving by himself. The last one was in 1997 he took one of his great –nephews with him.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene; sister in law, Elma June Herring and many nieces and nephews.

His services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30 at Church of the Firstborn in Parkland, Oklahoma.

Interment will follow at Parkland Cemetery.

Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be emailed to the family and an online obituary may be viewed by visiting www.strodefh.com.