David Daniel Herron, 75, of Harrodsburg, Kentucky passed away to be with his Lord on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 at UK Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, while surrounded by his loving family. Dave suffered a stroke on the evening of May 12th - Mother's Day - after a day spent losing at cards with his wife and daughter. He was then taken to the hospital where they discovered a blood clot on his brain. He did not have the strength to sustain him through the crisis due to chronic complications from diabetes and exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. In regards to Agent Orange, Dave often wore a T-shirt that said, "I was killed in Vietnam, I just haven't died yet." But now his sacrifice for the cause of freedom is complete.

David Herron was born on June 18th, 1948 in Fairmont, West Virginia to Odie and Helen Herron. Growing up the youngest of three siblings, Dave was always proving himself to his older brothers Dennis and Phillip. He attended State Street School and East Fairmont High School in Fairmont until his family moved to Virginia, where he graduated from James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg in 1966. Knowing he would be drafted to fight in the Vietnam War, Dave decided to enlist in the United States Army in order to have more choice of what he did in the service.

David was assigned to the Army Security Agency and attached to the 82nd Airborne Division as an Army Ranger. Dave shared many stories of his time in the service and was proud to defend his country, willing to pay whatever the cost to his body and his very life. Once out of the Army, Dave joined the US Navy Civil Service. In the 1980's, Dave was the Business Manager of the Navy's PHALANX weapon system. The system was a combination Gatlin gun / radar weapon that shot down anti-ship missiles at 4500 bullets per minute. Dave designed ballistics tests and blew up thousand pound warheads in the desert. But more importantly, he brought together a team of young scientists and engineers and taught them the practical technical skills to be effective Civil Servants. Dave mentored young employees who ultimately became senior leaders in the Defense industry. And in that environment, he built some of his closest life-long friendships that would survive time, distance, politics, religion, and busy, busy lives. Dave's son-in-law, Curtis Hibpshman, was a benefactor of Dave's legacy, when he operated and maintained the PHALANX weapon system when he served in the Navy upon the USS Winston S Churchill and the USS San Jacinto.

In January of 1981, David married Sarah Sibley in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The two spent a decade together making their own memories as a couple before the blessing of their daughter, Cana, in December of 1991. The three of them shared a bond that was precious and rare. The Three Musketeers did everything together, to the very end. Dave loved his family more than words could ever convey. And throughout his life, he lived for them, not himself. The Virginia years were spent celebrating life at family gatherings with his brothers and their children, and changing lives through God's ministries and love.

In 2003, the Herron family moved to Kentucky and made more lasting memories through school performances, marching band, church ministry, and fellowship. Dave and Sarah recently moved to Harrodsburg to be closer to Cana, and the family could not be more blessed the Lord moved
them when He did. Memories of their last months together will forever be precious to Sarah and Cana.

David was a man who had a fierce love of his God, his family, and his country. He will always be remembered for his dry sense of humor, his love of playing games, his never-ending support of the Washington Redskins, and his pride of being a patriot and his service to his country.

David Herron is preceded in death by his brother, Dennis Herron, and his parents. David Herron is survived by his wife, Sarah Herron of Harrodsburg, Kentucky; daughter, Cana (Herron) Hibpshman and her husband, Curtis of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; brother, Phillip Herron and his
wife, Betty; nieces, Sheli (Herron) Schneider, Sheri (Herron) Jenkins, Dianna (Herron) McIlwee, and Debbie (Herron) Nance; nephew, Rick Herron; many grand-nieces and nephews; and his beloved dogs, Webster and Chaucer.

In lieu of a formal funeral service, the Herron family is hosting a Celebration of Dave's Life. The Celebration of Life is open to any who would like to share stories and memories of this dearest of men. The Celebration will take place at 544 Harrison Circle, Locust Grove, Virginia on Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at 2:00 PM. (There will be another Celebration of Life in the Louisville, Kentucky area in the near future. To find out more about the Kentucky Celebration of Life, please contact the family.)

Condolences to the family may be expressed at http://www.ritchieandpeach.com

To RSVP for the Celebration of Life in Locust Grove, Virginia on Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at 2:00 PM, please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/uPdUrC6yjiVykTEL8

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39