Maurice E. Herring's Obituary
Maurice Earl Herring was born November 30, 1932, in Utopia, Texas, the third of seven children of Smithie Griffin Herring and Albert Lee Herring. He passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. He spent his childhood in several small towns in south Texas, graduating from high school in Hebbronville, Texas. Even in his childhood Maurice knew he wanted to be a physician. He worked his way through college and medical school as a “roughneck” on oil rigs, a boarding house waiter, a surgical scrub nurse and a medical records clerk. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and an AOA graduate of the University of Texas School of Medicine in Galveston. After an internship at Philadelphia General Hospital, Maurice enlisted in the US Air Force, serving as a flight surgeon assigned to an F-100 fighter squadron in Clovis, New Mexico and Adana, Turkey. Following his Air Force duty he returned to Galveston and a residency in internal medicine, including a year as Chief Resident. In 1964 Maurice joined the internal medicine partnership of Drs. Harvill, Hamilton and Tschumy in Dallas. He practiced at Medical Arts, Baylor, and later, Presbyterian Hospitals. In 2000, he moved his practice to Presbyterian Hospital’s Senior Center, retiring in 2002. Maurice was a member of the American College of Physicians. He also served as President of the medical staff of Presbyterian Hospital, President of the Texas chapter of the American Society of Internal Medicine, and President of the Dallas County Medical Society. A dedicated physician, he loved the practice of medicine and considered the care of his patients a sacred trust. An avid amateur naturalist, he saw the entire universe as the glorification of God and indisputable testimonial to His presence. After retirement, he devoted time to the activities he loved: hiking and backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park from the base of the family’s summer home in Estes Park, fly fishing, bird watching, woodworking and traveling with his family. Maurice’s love for his family was equal to his love of medicine. He married Grayce Hornung, the love of his life, during their junior year in medical school, and their 59 year union produced three children and five grandchildren, all of whom made him very proud. His children are: Ruth Anne, a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner in Fort Worth; Walter Andrew, an attorney in Dallas; and Michael Thomas, MD, a physician in Bozeman, Montana. His grandchildren are: Walter, Jr., Haley, and Camille Herring of Dallas; and Thomas and Elizabeth Herring of Bozeman, Montana. Other survivors include daughter-in-law Jenny Britton Herring of Dallas, Dr. Suzanne Christopher of Bozeman, sister Margaret Smith of Blanco, Texas, and brothers Don Herring of Houston and Ron Herring of Pineville, Lousiana. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and supported friends too numerous to mention, but who meant much to him. He was predeceased by his parents and three brothers, Albert Lee Jr., Gerald, and Jack. The family would especially like to thank Maurice’s caregivers for their devotion and skill: Melinda Castillo, Angelica Guerrero, Elena Juarez, Rita Juarez and Lisa Varela; and the staff of Faith Hospice. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 2 at 3pm in the Corrigan Building at Presbyterian Village North, 8600 Skyline Drive. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Village North Foundation (8600 Skyline Drive, Dallas TX 75243), the Aldersgate Class of First United Methodist Church of Dallas (1928 Ross Avenue, Dallas TX 75201), the Alzheimer’s Association (P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC, 20090-6011), or the charity of your choice.
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