John Henry Herrod

John Henry "Jack" Herrod was born in Vallejo, California in 1939. The family moved to St. Helena when Jack was 10. He excelled in sports and science while always working afternoons and weekends, notably in the local drug store.

Jack earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Wyoming and performed well as a pitcher, with their team nearing the college world series in 1960 and 1961. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and earned his graduate degree in Pharmacy. He met Dixie Martin, who he married in 1963. The couple moved to Carmel, California where he worked in pharmacy and was a member of the Army Reserves. An opportunity to start his own business was presented to him and they moved to Healdsburg. Jack took over General Drug in 1964, on the Healdsburg Plaza, later moving to the Mitchell Center. The couple's first child Chris was born in '65, with Greg ('67) and Suzy ('70) following.

Jack was always involved in the community. He volunteered with Catholic Charities, Kiwanis, The FFA Fair Board, Greyhound Boosters and the Lytton Adult Rehabilitation Advisory Board. In 1979 he served on the Sonoma County Grand Jury. He gave consistently to local non-profits and he especially enjoyed supporting youth athletics.

Jack was well known and liked for his customer service which often included making deliveries after the store closed in the evening. Jack and Dixie divorced in 1985 and in 1991 he moved to Hidden Valley Lake (Lake County). He continued to work in Healdsburg and other locations until his final retirement in 2009. He served on the Hidden Valley Lake Water Board.

Jack enjoyed golf, hunting (especially enjoying memorable trips with friends to Wyoming), following local sports, cooking and reunions with his college baseball friends. Most important to him were his kids and grandkids with whom he spent many memorable trips, holidays, and meals. Jack spent his final days in good spirits, socializing with neighbors, and died suddenly from a long endured cardio-vascular condition.

He is survived by his children Chris Herrod (Briana), Greg Herrod (Kellie), Suzy Haggerty (Cisco), 7 grandchildren (Noah, Seamus, Elliot, Simone, Riley, Arlo and Henry), his longtime companion Joan Keller, friend and caretaker Kim Agapoff, numerous cousins, nephews and niece.

Donations in his memory can be made to a local youth athletics program of your choice. A celebration of life will be held in June.

Published in Healdsburg Tribune · May 11, 2023