Donald Lee Herndon was born on September 9, 1938, near Republic in Greene County, Missouri to Jewel Maxine and Clarence Herndon. After battling Parkinson’s Disease with grit and determination, he passed from this world early on Friday, January 19, 2024. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Maxine and Eddie Woods as well as his father, Clarence Herndon.

Don grew up in north Springfield. He loved sports and was a talented baseball and basketball player in his youth. He would ride his bicycle from his home in northwest Springfield to play Kiwanis baseball at Grant Beach, Doling, and Fassnight Parks. His bicycle was also how he got to the YMCA and the Boys Club, both in the downtown Springfield area, to play basketball.

Don developed his work ethic early when he had a paper route, which he delivered on his bicycle. When Don was 15 years old, he lied about his age in order to get a job at Consumer’s Grocery Store.

Don was eager to get his driver’s license and borrowed his friend’s father’s car to take his test when he turned 16. As soon as he was able, he bought his first vehicle, a 1948 Chevy. His interest in vehicles and motorcycles took precedent over his participation in sports during his high school years.

Don graduated from Central High School in Springfield in 1956. At the time, Central was the only high school in Springfield, and the graduation ceremony was held in the Shrine Mosque for his class of 600+.

Don’s interest in automobiles no doubt led him to a job with Crosby Auto Parts where he worked for a year or so. Then in 1959 he started to work for O’Reilly Auto Parts where he would stay until he retired 45 years later. His career began at the original O’Reilly store on Sherman Avenue. At that time, it was the only O’Reilly store. His first job was delivery driver. He then moved into the office position of Perpetual Inventory. From there he moved up to outside sales. He loved his customers and developed a great rapport with them which led to many lasting friendships. Don had profound respect for the O’Reilly family and appreciated and valued his relationship with them. His wife Melba would say that he never really retired because he continued to promote O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Don enlisted in the Army National Guard in Springfield, Missouri, on April 5, 1961, and served 6 years, until his term ended with an honorable discharge on April 4, 1967.

Don really enjoyed riding motorcycles. The first motorcycle he bought was a Triumph Thunderbird. Don and some of his friends were among the first to ride in Mark Twain National Forest near Chadwick, Missouri. Many of the existing trails in what is now known as the Chadwick Motorcycle Use Area were established by those early riders. Most of Don’s riding was off-road or trail riding and he owned many motorcycles of many different makes, over the years. He rode competitively in Hare Scrambles and Enduros. Many weekends were spent camping and riding in the Chadwick area. Not only did he enjoy riding, he also liked to watch motorcycle races… from MotoCross to Flat Track. In the early 70’s, he and a couple of his friends went to Daytona for “Bike Week.” One of the highlights of that trip was meeting Evel Knievel. In 2003, Don bought his first Harley Davidson, fulfilling a goal he had had for some time. It was the 100th anniversary of Harley Davidson which drove the cost up. He came home and told Melba that it was the worst deal he ever made, but he had his Harley.

Don’s interests went far beyond motorcycles. Basically, he loved all things outdoors. He loved fishing, especially for largemouth bass. His favorite lake was Tablerock, and he and Melba spent many weekends and vacations fishing and camping at the Cricket Creek Campground near Omaha, Arkansas. He caught lots of big bass, but was always waiting for a bigger one to mount.

Don also enjoyed hunting and he always planned a week of vacation for deer season. Many of those weeks were spent camping and hunting in Mark Twain National Forest. Later, after purchasing 40 acres in Hickory County, he built two permanent deer stands on that property; and they would camp and hunt there.

He enjoyed NASCAR races, and he was able to attend a number of races at his favorite track, the Bristol Motor Speedway. His favorite driver of all time was Dale Earnhardt, and he was fortunate to have seen him win a race at Bristol in 1999 and take his 3rd National title in Atlanta in 1987.

He liked all sports, so if he was not enjoying the outdoors, he would have the TV tuned to whatever sport was happening… football, baseball, college softball, golf, boxing, and even soccer.

On August 24, 1973, he married the love of his life, Melba Mitchell. They began their married life, living in the same house where Don had grown up, on North Roosevelt Street in Springfield, Missouri. In 1983 they bought a house and 10 acres in rural Greene County with a Strafford address. Don immediately loved living in the country. A few years later, when their neighbor was transferred to Nebraska, they were able to purchase an adjoining 10 acres, giving them 20 acres to enjoy.

Don introduced Melba to all the things he loved, motorcycles, fishing, hunting, camping, etc. Together, they participated in all those activities. In October 1973, they took their first of three trips to Switzerland. It was on this trip that they became acquainted with a young 18-year-old Swiss man, named Toni Stebler. They remained in touch with him throughout the years and were able to visit him and his family in Switzerland two times. Toni came to Missouri to visit Don and Melba on three occasions. They have maintained a lasting friendship.

Don and Melba were able to take many trips to see much of the United States. They loved to vacation in Colorado and made several trips to that beautiful state. One year they drove to Montana, taking in all the sights on the way including the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and Yellowstone. On a trip to Seattle, they visited Mt. St. Helens and hiked on Mt. Rainer. On a trip to Las Vegas, they visited and toured Hoover Dam. On a trip to Prescott, Arizona, they visited the Grand Canyon. They took a trip to Oregon with Melba’s older brother and sister-in-law to visit cousins and saw the Snake River near the area where Melba’s parents had lived in the early 1940’s. They went fishing in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Mississippi. They visited Fort Polk, Louisiana, when Don’s son was stationed there. They visited San Antonio and saw the Alamo and the River Walk. They visited Disney World in Orlando twice; once with Don’s daughter and her children, and again with his son and his family.

Don was proud of his children, Michael Lee Herndon, and Michelle Anne (Herndon) Foster. He relished any time he was able to spend with them as they were growing up. He watched with admiration as they became busy, successful adults. Don cherished each phone call and visit from them.

He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and shared lots of good times with them from fishing and riding 4-wheelers to trips to Silver Dollar City.

On July 30, 2018, Don was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. So, even though there were some things that he no longer felt like doing, he maintained a good outlook and powered on.

Don is survived by his wife, Melba; his son Michael Lee Herndon and wife, Jennifer of Marietta, Georgia; his daughter, Michelle Anne Foster and husband, James, of Springfield; his grandchildren; Blake Herndon of Neosho; Claire Plaster, Owen Plaster, and Sydney “Max” Plaster, of Springfield, and Monica Kantor of Marietta, Georgia; nieces, Lori Cheek of Fair Grove, and Carole Cardoso of Grand Prairie, Texas; a brother, Gene Herndon and wife Judy of Springfield; a great-niece, Sheree Loveland, and two great-nephews, Tony and Chris Cardoso.

Don will be remembered by friends and family as a very generous and caring person. His life was truly defined by how he treated people. One of the lines he often used in relation to his work in sales with O’Reilly was: “People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.”

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, in Greenlawn Funeral Home, North, Springfield, Missouri, beginning at 11:30 am till 1:00 pm. A funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 pm also in the funeral home. A procession will follow the service where Don will be laid to rest in White Chapel Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri.

Fond memories and condolences may be shared on this site.

Memorial contributions can be made to:

Parkinson’s Foundation

200 SE 1st St. – Suite 800

Miami, FL 33131

or online at www.parkinson.org

or to

Ozarks Food Harvest

PO Box 5746

Springfield, MO 65801