David Mayo Herring

David M Herring (97) died January 29, 2026. Rockport native, born in 1929 to James Clark Herring and Edith Sneed, whose families came to Aransas County in 1866 and 1914, respectively. David graduated from Rockport High School where he lettered in three sports for three years, starting every football and basketball game and winning a few reds and fewer blues in track and field. David received an Engineering degree in 1955 from University of Texas and a Master’s in 1960. He was a member of the Alumni Association, the Chancellors Council, the Leadership Society and the Littlefield Society.

David served in the U S Army 1950-52, rising to Battalion Operations Sergeant with the 412th Engineers in the U S. He served under fire in the “Iron Triangle” in Korea, where he was offered, but declined, a field commission.

David married his enduring love, Nell Adams, a Rockport High School English teacher from Jewett, Texas, in 1955. Shortly afterwards they went to Venezuela with Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, with whom he worked in various positions from Boilermaker to President of a subsidiary company, in locations throughout the Western Hemisphere, while headquartered in Venezuela, Curacao, Chicago, Memphis, Birmingham, New Iberia and Houston. Nell was always at his side and was a major contributor to his success. David was a licensed Professional Engineer, and a member of several Professional and honorary societies. The American Society of Civil Engineers acclaimed one of his projects as one of five Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievements of 1971. He was proud that his Southeast USA construction division established a safety record never surpassed.

David was preceded in death by the joy of his life, Nell, his beloved wife of 57 years, his parents, his sisters Mary and Ruth Linda and his brother John Lee. He is survived by his sons Clark (Cyndi), John (Lida), and Scott, as well as by his brothers Joe (Anna), and Jim, plus 5 beloved grandchildren David Herring, Kacey Herring, Brooke Jimenez (Anner), Jerry Young (Kaitlyn) and Virginia Herring, 5 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. He was fortunate during his last few years to share the companionship of Polly Bracht who with her husband, James, were lifelong friends.

David and Nell retired to Rockport in 1991 where they enjoyed life travelling, renewing old friendships, making new ones, and just living on Aransas Bay. They made friends wherever they lived and stayed in touch whenever possible. There were several mixed groups who hunted, fished, skied, traveled and partied throughout their adult lives. He considered his friends and family his greatest asset. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockport. He served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, where he made meaningful contributions. He loved his wife, his family, his country and Aransas County, and through his life, he proved it. He was fortunate to have lived the American Dream during America’s best years.

A celebration of life will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockport, TX on Friday, March 27 at 3 PM. A reception will follow at the Key Allegro Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: St. Peter’ Episcopal Church Rockport (https://onrealm.org/stpetersrocks), the Rockport Center for the Arts (https://www.rockportartcenter.com/donate), or the David and Nell Endowed Scholarship (account 57108111) at the University of Texas at Austin for Rockport-Fulton High School graduates (www.giving.utexas.edu or mailed to UT Austin, 1 University Station, Mail Stop A3000, Austin, TX 78712).