Memorials › John Barney "JB" Hercher
John Barney "JB" Hercher
11 Jun 1919 – 14 Aug 2015
| Birth | 11 Jun 1919 |
| Death | 14 Aug 2015 |
| Cemetery | Graceland Cemetery Pine Bluff , Jefferson County , Arkansas , USA |
| Added by | gailb on 16 Aug 2015 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150734731 |
Bio
JB Hercher was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on June 11, 1919 to Emil and Agnes Hercher. He had a younger brother, Ernest Adam Hercher. He lived his entire life in Pine Bluff with the exception of 4 ½ years in the army during World War II and the last 13 years of his life in Tulsa with his family. He was drafted into a regular army unit from Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and was fortunate enough to remain in the same outfit for 4 ½ years. This lead to many close lifetime friendships. He spent three years overseas, making the invasions of North Africa and Italy. He was discharged on August 15, 1945 with five battle stars and the rank of First Sergeant. One of the favorite stories told at his army reunions was the fact that he was the only member of the company that could not get a discharge when they got home. There was a critical shortage of First Sergeants, and he was given a 30 day delay en route with orders to report for duty at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. He and his wife, Jocelyn, went to San Antonio and lived off base awaiting his orders to go to Japan. Thanks to the dropping of the atomic bomb, he was spared this fate and received his discharge. JB and Jocelyn were first introduced on a blind date by his friend, Denzel Bailey. They were married on February 24, 1942. They had originally planned to marry a year sooner, but he was drafted in March 1941, and they decided to wait until his year in the army was over. The attack on Pearl Harbor changed this, of course, so not knowing what the future would bring, they married in February 1942. Their first three wedding anniversaries were spent while he was in North Africa and Italy. JB and Jocelyn were blessed with two children. Gary Wayne was born on August 4, 1946 and Patricia Ann was born on May 6, 1949. Gary died at the age of 37 of an aneurism, and Pat and her husband, Roger Shollmier, reside in Tulsa. They have three children: Drew Philip, Lesley Ann, and Kelly Kristin. In addition he was blessed with two great-grandsons: William Scott Peterson and John Maxwell Peterson, who was named after JB. JB was the owner of a pest control and floor finishing company, Foster Service Company in Pine Bluff for many years. JB spent many happy hours with his old army buddies. Several of them met in Little Rock after the war where they had been together in Camp Robinson before going overseas. Knowing that he still had an old company roster from his First Sergeant days, they voted to have him set up reunions in the future. He accepted with the provision that the wives also attend, and it truly turned out to become a big family. This lasted until 1998 when due to deaths and illnesses they had to stop. After 52 happy years of marriage, JB lost his beloved wife due to a stroke. He continued to live in their home alone for 8 ½ years. He finally decided that he should be near his family in Tulsa, and moved to a retirement village where he was only five minutes away from his family. He was an Elder in Central Presbyterian Church of Pine Bluff where he had attended since his early Sunday school years. Upon arriving in Tulsa, he told one of the Elders in Pat and Roger’s church, Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian, that he would be attending church with his family, but was still retaining his membership in his lifelong church in Pine Bluff. JB was a member and past Director of the Kiwanis Club for many years and was also a member of the Pine Bluff Boys Club Board of Directors for over 35 years, serving as Secretary for several years and also as President of the Board. He was a life member of the Pine Bluff Masonic Lodge #69, receiving his 50 year pin in 1999. He received his 32nd degree in the Little Rock Arkansas Consistory. JB was very active in the Shrine Temple in Pine Bluff and was awarded a life membership and was appointed Director Emeritus after serving for 20 years as Director of the Temple. He was also a longtime member and Past Director of the Royal Order of Jesters. After moving to Tulsa, JB was invited to join the World War II Veterans Association of Tulsa and enjoyed their fellowship every Thursday morning. JB and Jocelyn grieved together over the loss of their son, Gary. After Jocelyn’s death, he really had a hard time. He told his close friends that without them and the support of his church and loving daughter, Pat, he couldn’t have made it. Now they are together again. Funeral services are Tuesday, August 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son with Reverend David King officiating. Visitation is Monday, August 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Robinson’s. Donations requested to Central Presbyterian Church, 6300 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, AR 71603. Obituary and photo by Ralph Robinson & Son
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