Thomas E. Herron

NOTICE: The Funeral Friday has been moved to

First Baptist Church, 600 E. Promenade, Mexico, MO 65265

Thomas E. Herron, 66, of Mexico, died Saturday afternoon, Jan. 3, 2015, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Audrain in Mexico.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Ben Schnipper officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 - 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Park.

He was a veteran and had served in the US Army during the Vietnam Era.

Tom was born in Mexico on June 7, 1948, son of Homer Wayne and Mary Edna (Elam) Herron. On Nov. 15, 2008, in Las Vegas, he married Joyce Jennings.

Mr. Herron has held several positions in the Mexico area including with the City of Mexico as the Community Development Director / Assistant City Manager (1983 - 1988) and was Acting City Manager in 1988. Tom was instrumental in the Economic Development of Mexico. He was directly responsible for Brookstone, Soft Surroundings and Home Decorators Collection locating here. He believed in the work ethic of the Mexico people and convinced these companies to open in Mexico. Tom also held the positions of Director of Distribution for Brookstone (1988 to 1996), Vice President of Distribution for Home Decorators Collection and Soft Surroundings (1996 to 2006) and was currently General Manager for the Home Decorators Collection/Home Depot Distribution Center-(2006 to present). He owned and operated Herron Farms. He took a great deal of pride in raising his cattle. He was a member of the Missouri Angus Association and the American Angus Association. Mr. Herron served on the United Credit Union Board of Directors for many years, and was a past member of Rotary International and the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce.

His survivors include his wife Joyce and his mother Mary, both of Mexico; two sons, Timothy E. Herron, Mexico, and Chad T. Herron and wife Trisha, Mexico; one step-son, Deontre Jackson, Dallas, TX; one daughter, Dawn Keith, Centralia; one brother, John Herron and wife Karen, Mexico; one sister, Linda Fisher and husband George, Mexico, four grandchildren, Tucker and Ava Herron, Ashley Chrisman, and Hadley Keith; three step-grandchildren, Kambovo, Chicoti, and Gabriella Jackson; one aunt, Moneaka Heitmeyer, Madison, MO; two sisters-in-law, Morisann Austin and husband Willie, St. Louis, and Doris Gadlen, Detroit, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His father Homer preceded him in death.

Memorials are requested to be made to the Help Center. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.