Dr. John Herring

Dr. John H. Herring, 88, died peacefully at home, April 12, 2023, in Albemarle, NC.

He was born on September 27, 1934, in Jackson, MS; the son of Percy Floyd Herring and Belva Maureen Davidson Herring.

John graduated from Baylor University in 1956 before attending the University of Tennessee Medical School during which time he entered the Navy. After graduation and the completion of his internship, he was assigned to sea duty with the Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet. He then served on the U.S.S. John Paul Jones DD-932 as a Medical Officer for DesRon30, based in Newport, RI. He then served at the United States Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC as General Duty Officer from 1960 until 1962.

John completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD from 1962-1965. Afterward, he was appointed to the Staff of the USN Hospital in Millington, TN until 1968. He later graduated as a Flight Surgeon from the Aerospace Medicine Primary program at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas in 1981. John found his way to Albemarle, NC where he joined Dr. Davis Fort in his practice, later joined by Dr. Bob Gaither. A highlight of his military career was serving as the appointed State Air surgeon in the North Carolina Air National Guard. Alongside these duties, John served his community, having delivered thousands of babies before continuing his service at the Free Medical Clinic and as a member of the Lions Club.  He was an accomplished pianist and artist, and was an avid supporter of local arts, the YMCA, and Stanly Memorial Hospital. While attending FBC of Jacksonville, FL, he met his wife Bonnie Lillian Loadholtz on his first day of Sunday school in 1957. John and his family joined First Baptist Church of Albemarle, NC in 1968 where they became part of a loving community.

John is survived by his wife, Bonnie Herring; sons, Mark Herring and his wife Janet Herring, as well as Scott Herring and his wife Carol Herring; daughter, Kim Lybrand and her husband Rob Lybrand; granddaughters Lexi Herring, as well as Elliott Kovacs and her husband Victor Kovacs; and great-granddaughter Lillian Kovacs.

A service of remembrance will be held April 17, 2pm. at First Baptist Church of Albemarle, officiated by Dr. Kendell Cameron. Those who wish to remember John in a special way may make gifts to First Baptist Church of Albemarle http://fbc-albemarle.org and Hospice of Stanly and the Uwharrie http://www.hospiceofstanly.org

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Herring family.