Charles T. Herndon, Iii

Charles T. Herndon III, known to his friends as 'Thad'?, or 'C.T.'? passed away on January 23, 2010, at the Johnson City Medical Center Hospital, after a brief illness. He was 89. He was born in Kingsport, Tennessee and was the son of the late Charles T. Herndon, Jr., and Adele Wheatley Herndon. He served his country in World War II as a finance officer for nearly 4 years, and retired from the United States Army Reserve with a rank of Colonel. He received his B.A. Degree from Vanderbilt University and later received his law degree from the University of Virginia. He began practicing law in Johnson City, Tennessee in 1947 with the firm of Simmonds and Bowman, and was with that firm with subsequent partners for nearly fifty years. At the time of his death he was 'of counsel'? to the firm of Herndon, Coleman, Brading & McKee. He was a member of the Washington County, Tennessee, and American Bar Associations, and practiced in both state and federal courts. He was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel. He served on the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility by appointment of the Tennessee Supreme Court for a period of 6 years. He also served as a Trustee of Cannon Memorial Hospital in Banner Elk, North Carolina, for over 25 years, and was honored as one of the 6 outstanding hospital trustees for the State of North Carolina. He was a man of great faith and humbly served his Lord in a variety of ways, including serving as an ordained elder for many years at the First Presbyterian Church and later as elder emeritus. He taught Sunday School, including 25 years as the teacher of the Brotherhood Bible Class. In his later years, he particularly enjoyed the mens bible study luncheon, and the dear friends that joined him there. He had served as a director in the Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Rotary Club for many years. He was also a member of the Hurstleigh Club. He loved poetry, an appreciation of which he learned from his grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, and the love of his life, Mary Gordon Simmonds Herndon. He is also survived by his son, Charles T. Herndon IV, and wife, Ann, of Johnson City, Tennessee and his daughter Rebecca Adele Herndon of Knoxville, Tennessee. He had four grandchildren and spouses, Kristy Herndon Haynes and husband Olen,Gale Haynes, Jr., of Johnson City, Holly Rebecca Herndon and husband Mathew Dryhurst of Oakland, California, Frank Thaddeus London and wife Tiffany London, of Portersville, Pennsylvania, and Charles Jason London, of Knoxville, Tennessee. He also was survived by three great grandchildren, Olen Gale Haynes III (Tripp), Lily Anna Haynes, and Leslie Adele London. He is also survived by a loving sister, Mrs. Charles Venable (Jeanie) of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He also is survived by nieces and a nephew. A celebration of life memorial service will be at the First Presbyterian Church on Monday, January 25th at 4:00 in the main sanctuary. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m on the same date. The family suggests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Herndon Scholarship at Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina.