Lonnie Eugene “Gene” Herron, the son of Ross and Cecile Mae (Fischer) Herron, was born May 22, 1945, in Hamburg, Iowa. He attended Rock Port High School, Rock Port, Missouri, graduating in 1963. On February 24, 1966, Gene entered the United States Army, where he served his country during the Vietnam War. He received his honorable discharge on November 26, 1967.

In 1965, Gene married Linda Neeley. She preceded him in death. On May 17, 1968, Gene married Kathy Rail at the Christian Church in Tarkio, Missouri. They later became the parents of two children, Melissa and Kevin.

Gene dedicated himself to farming the Century Family Farm, located East of Rock Port. He also farmed for Hank Stapel and the Sylvester Garst families for over 50 years. He managed a diverse operation that included finishing hogs, a cow/calf operation, finishing and marketing feeder calves, and tending to row crops and hay. Farming with his brothers, they made many memories both good and bad. (Working on a combine after spaghetti for lunch was never a good idea!) They enjoyed meals and snacks together in the fields during silage chopping and harvest. He found great joy in attending the sports events of his children and grandchildren, always their biggest supporter. Known affectionately as “Baba” to his grandsons Owen and Callum, Gene always looked forward to their visits, taking them on Gator rides to check the beaver dams and to the city park to play. He taught both boys to drive his Gator and got a lot of laughs out of watching them shoot off fireworks. Gene passed away on January 13, 2025, at the age of 79.

Besides his parents, Gene was preceded in death by siblings, Willard Herron and his wife Louise, sister Dollie Mae Herron, and sister-in-law, Karen Herron. Survivors include wife, Kathy Herron, Rock Port; children, Melissa (Aaron) Smith, Kansas City, Kansas, and Kevin (Laura) Herron, LaVista, Nebraska; grandsons, Owen Reed and Callum Eugene Smith; brother, Marvin Herron, Rock Port; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clint (Sharon) Rail, Lincoln, Nebraska, Nancy (Kelly) Daugherty, Tarkio, Judy (Mark) DeBuhr, Auburn, Nebraska and numerous nieces and nephews.

*** Family requests casual attire for the memorial service.***
Memorial Service: 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 17, 2025, First Christian Church, Rock Port.
There is no scheduled visitation.
Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Memorials: Rock Port First Responders.
Arrangements: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
www.minterfuneralchapels.com