Harold Francis Herring, better known as (Fish), died peacefully Saturday at his mountain home in Gurley surrounded by his family, dogs, and all the creatures of the land he loved. Fish was born on July 22, 1924, in Lanett, the son of Roy P. and Frances Pearl Herring. At the age of 16 he graduated from the Citadel College in Charleston, S.C., and in 1943 he entered World War II military service as an 8th Air Force B-17 pilot in England. He flew 32 combat missions over Germany before the age of 20, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross as lead bomber pilot of his squadron. Upon leaving military service, Fish attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, earning his law degree in 1951. Fish was an acclaimed courthouse lawyer for over 59 years. He was a member of the law firms of Sadler, Sullivan, Herring and Sharp; Lanier, Shaver & Herring; and Herring, Dick, Wisner and Walker. At the time of his death, he was a sole practitioner lawyer in Gurley, near his home. Of Fish’s numerous achievements as a trial lawyer, he was proud to participate in the task force to re-write the Alabama Constitution, for which he was awarded the Bar’s highest Award of Merit in 1984. Another great contribution was the creation of Huntsville’s public law library, said to be one of the first in the United States. Fish was very active in the Library World, serving the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library and the Alabama Library Association as board member. He was also president of the Urban Libraries Council, a National Association of Public Libraries in metropolitan areas throughout the United States, working together to improve library services for all people. Fish was a strong advocate for nature, animals and the environment. The home he and his wife Irobel created in Sharp’s Cove, Gurley, is the first certified Treasure Forest in Madison County. In later years, Fish was a dedicated gardener, growing abundant vegetables and canning and pickling his produce for friends and family. Many people have been the fortunate recipients of Fish’s “gold,” the countless jars of honey that he, as competent keeper of bees and hives, harvested and gave to people each year. Fish was a devoted member of Christ Episcopal Church in Huntsville, where he served as senior warden, acolyte, lay reader, choir member, attorney and Bible study teacher. Fish will be greatly missed by his children, Irobel (Shay)Clanton and her husband Kim and their son Kim Bass, all of Deerfield, Va., Lucinda Herring and her daughter, Eliza Hudson of Whidbey Island, Wash., Margaret Herring of Huntsville and Nancy Ryman and her husband Stuart and their children Will and Lila, all of Fairview, N.C.; son, Harold F. Herring Jr. and his wife Holly and their children Harold F. Herring III and Carol Ann Herring of Augusta, Mont. Fish also leaves behind very special friends, Tommi Covert, his joyful companion for the last eight years and her family; Brian Carter, who was like a son to Fish, and who helped him on the farm for many years; Connie Johnson, Fish’s loyal legal assistant; Joy, Fish’s loving dog and appreciative friend; and all the animals, bees and creatures of the land, who will miss Fish’s presence and stewardship. The memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church of Huntsville, 1201 Kingsbury Ave. S.E., at 2 p.m. Saturday. Friends and family will gather at the Madison County Law Library, 205 Eastside Square following the service to celebrate Fish’s life. Any memoriam may be made to Hospice Family Care, 3304 Westmill Drive, Huntsville, in honor of their support and service to the Herring family; Christ Episcopal Church of Huntsville; the Huntsville Public Library, or any charity of your choice. Tags: 1945
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