Tom Herman

Thomas “Tom” Judson Herman embraced his final journey peacefully at his residence on May 10, 2022, at the age of 82.

Tom was born in Gaston County, North Carolina on February 27, 1940 to the late Judson Henry Herman and Frances Smith Herman. Tom was a 1958 graduate of Bessemer City High School. After high school, Tom served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966 during the Vietnam War. He graduated from the 75th Air Force Tech School. He served under the 2860th GEEIA squadron, which took him to Japan during his time in the service.  Tom retired from AT&T in 2002, where he worked as a line technician for 33 years.

In addition to his parents, Tom is preceded in death by his three brothers: Frank Herman, Bill Herman and Carl Herman, and one granddaughter, Morgan Lovelace Collier.

Tom is survived by his wife of 30 years, Susan Fisher Herman, and his children, Kenny (Lisa) and Mike (Leigh) Herman, and Sharon and Stephen Ledford. He is also survived by his sister: Kay Eyler (Ed); his six grandsons: CJ Bumgardner (Cami), Matthew Herman, Ben Herman, Chase Lovelace (Brooke), Jake Herman and John Herman; his eight granddaughters: Taylor Fowler (Michael), Hayley Weese, Brittany Rhodes (Trevor), Emily Herman, Macie Lovelace, Blakelee Lovelace, Lilli Ledford and Angelina Ledford; and his two great grandsons: Avery Lovelace and Brady Rhodes.

Tom was a gentle hearted, sweet man, who was loved by all. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were the center of his heart. He was an avid traveler, and deeply loved the sand between his toes. He enjoyed air shows and visiting air museums. He often advised his grandchildren to never leave a store without a tube of toothpaste and a pack of toilet paper. He also reminded everyone: “if you fail to prepare, then you prepare to fail.”

He did the things he wanted to do, he went to the places he wanted to go, and he loved the people he wanted to love.

A celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date.