Mackie James Herring

Mackie began his life journey in Caripito, Venezuela. His mom (Goldie) and brother (Paul) traveled with his dad (Mack Herring) to Caripito to work in the oil industry. The family stayed in Venezuela approximately 10 years and, while there, a younger brother (David) and younger sister (Joanna) were born. In the early 1950’s, the family returned to the U.S. and settled in the Pasadena TX community. Mackie progressed through the Pasadena ISD, attending Gardens Elementary, Southmore Junio High, and Pasadena High School. During the time, many lifelong friendships began as he plied his skills in Yo-Yo contests and school groups. At Pasadena High School he participated in football and in his sophomore year joined the varsity team in their quest for a state championship. He was active in JR achievement and the Thespian Club. He was named Junior “Favorite” and Senior “Most Friendliest” at Pasadena High School. After high school, Mackie took classes at San Jacinto Junior College, married, and started a family – a son (David Herring) and daughter (Laura Herring). Family life included coaching youth sports and family gatherings near the Comal River for fishing and tubing. In 1963, Mackie was hired on at Ethyl/Albemarle Corp and completed 36 years of service – retiring in 1999. Throughout his working years, Mackie was an active participant in his world. Always interested in learning something, Mackie started restoring old cars. His two favorites were a 1949 Chevy pick-up truck (his daily driver for over 30 years) and a 1953 Chevy panel truck that he sold to a European couple to drive the AutoBahn. He dabbled in scuba diving, ceramics, BarBQ cook offs, and trips across the U.S. on his Harley Fat Boy. He started cowboy action shooting in the late 1990’s and even sewed some of his costumes At this time eh began collecting antique guns and black powder muskets. He also did his own ammo reloading. After retirement, Mackie focused on his “country life” project. He found his 15 acre playground in Oakridge Ranch – A community of 4400 wooded rolling acres on the cusp of Texas Hill Country. Mackie jumped into his “project” full force, sleeping nights in the bed of his pickup, and during the day planning the entry lane to the property, siting the pond, designing the workshop/bedroom/bath area. He also prepared the shop site and future home sites for building. While developing his “project” Mackie joined several community groups. As they worked to improve the neighborhood – Oakridge Wildlife Management Association, road maintenance committee. He was a financial contributor for the purchase of the community center property and joined in the establishment of Oakridge Ranch Volunteer Fire Department. During the about 25 years of his “country project” Mackie also lent his skills to fish frys, ice cream socials, Wounded Warrior Hunt Weeks, as well as friends and neighbors in the community. Mackie is preceded in death by his parents Mack Herring and Goldie Clawson Herring, brother David Herring, and both sets of grandparents. He is survived by his wife Grace “Jeanie” Rodriguez Herring, son David Herring and wife Kristen with children Griffen and Riley, Daughter Laura Herring, son Abel Rodriguez and wife Barbara with daughter Presly, daughter Shelley Wright and husband Sean, son Judson Rodriguez, older brother Paul Herring and wife Ann, nephew Alan Herring and wife Toni, niece Paula Goodheart and husband Craig, grandnieces Cydney and husband Nick and Cassidy and husband Carter, and grandnephews Cole and Clay Herring and Wyatt Storts. A come and go celebration of Mackie will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Drive, Houston TX 77079. Mackie’s ashes will be scattered at the Oakridge Ranch Community Center at 1904 Oakridge Road, Weimar TX 78962 at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 30, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations to Parkinson’s Research is appreciated.

Mackie James Herring

October 27, 1941 - September 10, 2023