Herbert Gerdes – July 7, 1943 to August 7, 2026 (83)

YOAKUM: Herbert John Gerdes, 83, passed away and went on to meet his Heavenly Father and be reunited with his loved ones on Friday, August 7, 2026.  He was born July 7, 1943, in Yoakum, TX, the only child to Herbert and Henrietta Frels Gerdes. He was baptized and confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Yoakum.  He grew up on a farm on the Hochheim Prairie and enjoyed all the activities and benefits of growing up in a small town in the 1950s. He was a good-looking guy with a nice smile who made friends easily.  He had several short stints of employment in Yoakum after high school such as the Highway Department and Circle Y, before being hired by Yoakum Grain Company, hauling grain to West Texas.  This experience would ignite in him, a love for driving semi-trucks and it began a career of forty-seven years working for various freight companies.  He lived in several different cities in the state and had the opportunity to see other parts of the country.  He was a member of the Teamsters.  He was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves during the Vietnam War.  Herbert married Doris Nance from Hallettsville and they were blessed with two sons, who tragically lost their lives in 1984, in a traffic accident on their way to school and work, several miles West of Yoakum.  The last thirty years of Herbert’s career was spent working out of Dallas for ABF Freight Lines as a long-haul driver.  He retired in 2011.  Being in good health, he was able to participate in activities he enjoyed, along with his wife, Doris.

Herbert is survived by his loving wife; nephew, Gregg Bradburn of San Antonio; niece, Paige James.