Bobby Ray Herrin, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away on January 19, 2024. He was born on January 21, 1943 to Carl and Nora Herrin, and was a lifelong resident of Nederland, Texas.
Bobby was a hard worker, spending 30+ years as a refinery operator and dedicating his retirement years serving his community with his very own business, Bobby’s Mini Storage. It was his lifelong dream to see his “name in lights”, and he enjoyed spending time at his mini storage greeting his customers or playing solitaire on his computer. He also spent much of his time working alongside his wife with their rent houses.
He was proud to be a graduate of Nederland High School and loved attending his class reunions. He enjoyed watching his children grow up in Nederland and was always their biggest supporter. In his younger years, he enjoyed coaching his son, Jeff, in baseball, cheering on his daughter, Pam, in beauty pageants and dance, and watching his step-children, Lea and Lane, in the band.
Bobby proudly served in the United States Navy on the USS Mazama and cherished the camaraderie he experienced among his shipmates. Each year, Bobby eagerly attended US Navy reunions to reconnect with old friends and reminisce about their shared experiences. He loved to tell his Navy stories to anyone who would lend an ear. He got his first taste of travel during his tour of duty, and that love of travel followed him his entire life.
Camping in his RV with his young family, exploring all corners of the US, seeing Europe and Canada with grandchildren in tow, and sailing around Alaska with his sister, brother, and cousin, Bobby experienced all that life and this world had to offer making amazing memories along the way.
If you knew Bobby, you know he was a fisherman at heart. Whether it was camping and fishing in lakes around Texas, taking his saltwater boat in the Galveston Bay, fishing at Crystal Beach, deep sea fishing in Florida, or ice fishing in Canada, fishing was one of his absolute favorite pastimes. He shared this love with lasting friendships he made participating in and serving as an officer for the Saltwater Anglers League of Texas (S.A.L.T. Club). Deer hunting ran a very close second, and he anxiously awaited opening weekend every November when he could get out to the deer lease with his hunting buddies and wife, making lasting memories and stocking his deep freeze with deer meat.
When Bobby wasn't working, serving his country, or making memories outdoors, he kept busy at Crystal Beach spending quality time with his cousins and riding his golf cart up and down the shore. He also had many talents including woodworking, taxidermy, growing fruit in his backyard, and he loved to collect coins and watch movie after movie.
Being raised in The First Baptist Church of Nederland gave him a solid, spiritual foundation, and in his later years, he enjoyed watching the streamed services for which he was grateful.
Bobby was preceded in death by his first love and wife of 18 years, Rebecca Ann (Hopkins) Herrin; son, Bobby Ray Herrin, Jr.; daughter, Kristi Kay Herrin; son, Chad Everett Herrin; sister, Judy Ann (Herrin) Sanders; brother, Raymond Carl Herrin, Jr.; father, Raymond Carl Herrin, Sr.; and mother, Nora Alice (Brison) Herrin.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Naomi Jane (Ingwersen) Herrin, his sister, Mary Sue (Herrin) Tompkins; son, Jeffery Roy Herrin and wife Marty; daughter, Pamela Kay Herrin; stepdaughter, Lea Michelle Holcomb and husband Eric; and stepson, Michael Lane Smith and wife Sarah. He adored his grandchildren: Sebastian Riley Herrin and wife Lauren; Nikolete Nikravan Cook and husband Carl; Shoshanna Amber Maidenberg, Anna Catherine Holcomb, Elizabeth Jane Holcomb, Everett Malachi Smith, Lincoln Alexander Smith; and great grandchildren, Sebastian Ryan Herrin and Naomi Rei Herrin.
A visitation will be Monday, January 22, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home in Nederland. Funeral services for Mr. Herrin will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home in Nederland, with Full Military Honors to be provided by The Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group. A private graveside service will follow.
Serving as pallbearers include Jeff Herrin, Lane Smith, Paul Tompkins, Sebastian Herrin, Eric Holcomb, and Nick Nikravan.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Honor of Mr. Herrin to Saltwater Anglers League of Texas (S.A.L.T. Club); 2635 15th Street, Port Neches, Texas 77651.
Though we mourn his loss today, let us celebrate the life of Bobby Ray Herrin and find solace in the lasting impact he has had on our lives. May his memory serve as a reminder of the power of love, family, and pursuing one's dreams.