Grady Fillmore Herold, Sr., age 92, of Mercedes, Texas, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2014, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas.
Born June 24, 1921, at Marlinton, he was a son of the late Winston and Anna Herold.
Grady graduated from Marlinton High School and worked as an Agricultural Accountant. He was a World War II Veteran and proudly served as a B29 Flight Engineer in the Army Air Corps and was stationed in Harlingen, Texas. He served as deacon at the Presbyterian Church of Mercedes and as City Commissioner for the City of Mercedes. He was also involved in the Mercedes Lions Club and the American Legion Post #0172 of Mercedes, Texas.
He married his wife, Kathryn “Katy” Louise Schwarz Herold, on April 17, 1943, at Mercedes, Texas. She was his anchor for 70 years and was an active member in the Mercedes community and worked in the banking industry for more than 40 years.
It is no easy task to sum up the life of this wonderfully talented and intelligent man. He was at one time or another –– and sometimes all at once –– humorous, a wonderful storyteller, a man who loved country music, a man who could draw, sing and play guitar and was kind and caring beyond words; but above all else, he was devoted to his family, friends, church, country and his great state of West Virginia.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Darius Winston Herold; and two sisters, Eleanor and Virginia “Gin.”
He is survived by sons, Grady Herold, Jr., and wife, Grace Anne, Larry Herold, and wife, Linda, and David Herold, and wife, Carol. He was known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as PapPaw. He is survived by nine grandchildren, Merielle Herold Boatman, Betsy Herold Pirotte, Michael Herold, Carrie Herold Pautsch, Jennifer Herlod Strawbridge, Darius John Herold, Michelle Herold Clark, Sean Herold and Blake Herold; and 11 great-grandchildren who brought him immeasurable joy.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Dr. John Ferris, Calidad Home Health Agency, gracious neighbors who unselfishly lent a helping hand –– Esmer, Rachel, Sally and Crystal who provided care for Grady during his final months; Rev. Esther Hughes and Mary and Wally Bunton. Most of all we say thank you, with much love and unending gratitude to Delfina for the care and attention given to Grady, Katy and the entire Herold family throughout the years. We are both happy and proud to call Delfina family.
Funeral service was January 14 at the First Presbyterian Church of Mercedes with Rev. Esther Hughes officiating. Interment was in Ebony Grove Cemetery in Mercedes, Texas.
Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Church of Mercedes, 601 S. Texas Avenue, Mercedes, TX 78570.
Online condolences may be made at www.mccalebfuneralhome.com
