Joseph "Joe" Herndon, Jr., age 90, of Little Mountain, SC died Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Lexington Medical Center.

Born on August 11, 1934, he was a son of the late Joseph, Sr. and Doris Herndon. He was born, raised, and educated in St. Louis, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sheila Rouse Herndon; daughters, Deborah Simmons and Desiree Herndon, both of Missouri, and Beatrice Gauthier (Michel) of France; sons, Joseph Herndon, III of Michigan, Lemartt Holman (Katie) of Kansas and Tommy Tran of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Tammie, Antwan, Denny, Wesley, Kodi, Cecile, Oliver, Camilla, Lia, Kali, Ashtin, Aris, Georgia, Willa and Myles; 11 great grandchildren; sister-in-laws Jackie Nedlic (Simeon) of Washington State, Beverly Rouse of California, Bonita Cobb (Robert) of North Carolina, Wanda Anderson of Virginia and Tiesha Rouse of South Carolina ; brother-in-law, Barney L. Rouse (Margaret) of South Carolina; and special cousin, June McCann (Jerry) of Missouri.

He was predeceased by his brother, Harold Herndon and sister, Louella Bell.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin by the Rev. Maurice Webber. Burial with honors will follow at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin.

In 1968, Joe retired from the United States Army, with the majority of his service in France, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Germany. Among other recognitions, Joe received the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding service while in the US Army.

In addition to his military career, Joe worked as a Data Processing Officer and retired from South Carolina National Bank. He was a retired Realtor, for Century 21 Bob Cape Realtors and a Stock Broker for Investors Overseas Service in Geneva, Switzerland.

Joe was passionate about service to others and was very active in his community. He was a member of the Greater Chapin Chamber of Commerce (GCCC), where he served as Director of Community Services and Director of Operations and Administration and was awarded Outstanding Member of the Year in 1996 by the GCCC. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Chapin Sunrise where he served as President, liaison to the Chapin High School Interact club, District Youth Exchange Coordinator, and Director of Vocational Services, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Joe was a member of the Chapin Ruritan Club, serving on the Board of Directors, Lt. Governor, District Governor and Treasurer. He was a member of American Legion Post 193, Chapin.

He was Director of the Chapin Labor Day Festival, served on the Board of Directors for Chapin We Care, and was a member of the United Way of Midlands Food Shelter, Safety and Transportation Council, the Board of Directors, James R. Clark Sickle Cell Anemia Foundations, the Chapin/Little Mountain Community Association, the United Way of the Midlands FIC (Family, Individuals, and Children), and the advisory board of SAFY (Specialized Alternatives for Family and Youth). He served as President/CEO of Community Innovations Through Training. Prior to moving to the Midlands, Joe was a member of the Ft. Leanardwood Lions Club.

Joe was a Master Mason 33rd Degree and Shriner. He served as a judge for the English Speaking Society at Tokyo University and the American Business Women's Association's "Business Associate of the Year". He conducted the first European Talent and Beauty Pageant as Imperial Director of Talent and Beautify for Western Europe-Region 8.

He was also passionate about education, serving as a member of the School Improvement Council for Chapin High School and Lake Murray Elementary School, the Advisory for the Alternative Academy for Success, and the Senior Advisory Council and the Strategic Planning Committee for School District Five, Lexington and Richland counties. He was awarded Outstanding High School Mentor for School District Five in 2005.

In 2005, Joseph Herndon, Jr. was inducted into the Chapin Hall of Fame.

Joe's hobbies include hunting, fishing, sports, music, reading, food and wine making. He was President of the American Wine Making Society, Columbia Chapter and his wine won awards at the SC State Fair and the Southeastern Regions Wine Society competition in TN. He loved his Clemson Tigers.

Joseph Herndon, Jr. will be remembered for his patriotism, public service, warm smile, infectious laugh, and love for others.

Memorials are suggested to Rotary Club of Chapin Sunrise, PO Box 52, Chapin, SC 29036.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Herndon Family.