John Marrett "Jack" Herndon Sr

John Marrett Herndon, passed away on 1/26/14 in Albuquerque, NM. He was born on 7/14/1940 in Blackwell, OK to Champ Clark Herndon Jr. and Mary Herndon. Jack grew up on a ranch outside of Sudan, KS and moved to Estancia NM where he graduated at Estancia High School in 1958. After high school he attended UNM and NMSU where he received his Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, he further earned his Professional Civil Engineers License. He worked in the road construction industry for 50 years serving as State District engineer for the State of NM and also in the private sector as Project Superintendent. Though-out his career, Jack put his touch on almost every highway in the State of NM at one time or another. There was never a road that he had not traveled. Jack earned numerous prestigious awards professionally and personally for the quality and workmanship on his roads. He also received a very special highway award that holds the equivalent to the Oscar's in Hollywood. He was very proud of that!! Boating was his passion. He enjoyed boating in his Fountain boat and could be found on the Elephant Butte Lake in the summer time every chance he got. Jack is survived by his two sons, Jack Herndon Jr. of Las Cruces and Tom Herndon of Albuquerque; and his grandchildren Ashley Herndon of Las Cruces, now attending Texas Tech University, Parker Herndon and Lexie Herndon also of Albuquerque. Jack is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Champ Herndon and wife Janice of Dallas, Texas, Sherian and Gerry Eckenrod of Fresno, California, Bob and Irma Herndon, of El Paso, Klee and Keith Cooper of Sequim, Washington. Through his 73 years of life, he touched numerous people through his warm and inviting nature, making everyone feel as a part of his family. Jack was always the optimist. He was always striving for perfection and felt if a job was to be done, then you might as well "do it right". He was always open to new opportunities or adventures. His motto was that of, "Get out of bed, your burning daylight"!!! A celebration of life will be held on Saturday February 1st at the Elephant Butte Inn meeting hall at 3:00p.m. Afterwards, the family will be greeting friends and relatives at, Jack's home, 201 Hawthorne Dr. in Elephant Butte. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made Third Street Church of Christ, 1500 E 3rd Ave Truth or Consequences, NM 87901 or MD Anderson Cancer Center towards smoking cessation.