After graduating high school, Hershel married Doris Ann Ragon on June 22, 1958. They were united as one for 32 years until Doris’s passing on January 25, 1990. Hershel worked as an Operations Foreman at Shell Oil Refinery from 1968-1990 and later began driving for JB Hunt for many years until his retirement. He earned 1 million safe driving miles with that company. Hershel moved to Sawyer, Okla. in 1992 from Deer Park, Texas. In his free time, Hershel enjoyed fishing and gardening.
Hershel was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Doris Ann Smith; second wife, Barbara Smith; sister, Mary Louise Hopper and brothers, Howard Earnest and William Nathan Smith.
Hershel is survived by his children, Anitra Riddle and husband Joe, Teresa Iraggi and husband Wayne, Ray Smith and partner Gary Jackson, Denise Ruiz and husband David; grandchildren, Rebbecca Sanders, Nick Riddle and wife Crystal, Curtis Riddle and wife Micah, Danyelle McKnight, Kevin Iraggi and wife Sarah, Dexter Ruiz and Denaye Ruiz; great-grandchildren, Shelbi Sanders, Regan Riddle, Landen Sanders, Leila Iraggi, Elizabeth McKnight, Rhett Riddle, Melody McKnight and Harper Riddle and great-great-grandchild, Aliyah Sanders.
The family would like to thank Hershel’s special friends in Sawyer, Jerry and Debra Tunnell.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2019 at Grand View Memorial Park in Pasadena, Texas. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant, Okla. Funeral and Cremation Service.