Rodney M. Herron
Rodney “Nub” M. Herron, of Washington, entered heaven Friday, September 16, 2022, at the age of 75, in St. Clair Hospital. He was born March 14, 1947, in Grove City, a son of the late Hugh Edward Herron and Erna Marie Geiger Herron.
Rodney was preceded in death by the love of his life, Alexis P. Herron, with whom he shared over 50 years of marriage.
Rodney graduated from Lakeview High School in Stoneboro, Class of 1965, where he excelled in both basketball and baseball. He attended Edinboro State College, now Penn West University, on a full scholarship for basketball and baseball, where he received his B.S. in Education, graduating in 1969.
As a member of the basketball team at Edinboro, he was affectionately called “Zoo Man” because of his rebounding abilities and rough play under the boards. He was an instrumental part of Edinboro’s first ever conference championship in 1968. His athletic prowess came to the attention of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who signed him to a 2-year contract, but he never attained team status before the opening day roster, and was released in 1972.
Rod went on to teach K-8 for Pittsburgh City Schools. He then went on to work for U.S. Steel as a coke oven battery smoke technician. In July of 1993, he received a U.S. patent for marbleized porcelain figurines and, along with his wife, Alexis, opened Herron’s Porcelains, where they sold their handmade porcelain figurines.
As a car enthusiast, he owned and operated Roaring Thunder NASCAR Store in Bethel Park from 1996-2005.
In his free time, Rod obtained his pilot license and enjoyed flying. He and his wife, Alexis loved spending time at their mountain house in Cook Forest and were avid cat people.
Earlier this year, Rodney and his lifelong friend, Robert F. McMurray, fulfilled their dream of publishing their book, The Grape Picker’s Empire. As a lifelong learner, Nub shared his passions and hobbies with all who knew him.
He especially loved fast cars, rooting for the Steelers, and his cats, Hanz & Holly.
Rodney is survived by his brother, Hugh “Scooter” and wife Susan Herron of Mercer; sisters-in-law, Patty Jean and husband Robert Leyshock of Greensburg, and Kimberly and husband Eric Wick of Karns City; and brother-in-law, Robert and wife Alexis Popp of Imperial. He will be missed by his loving nieces and nephews, Nichole Herron and husband Michael Patrina, Kyle and wife Stephanie Herron, Josilyn and Aubrey Herron, Matt and wife Rebecca Leyshock, and Dax and Tyson; Sean Leyshock, Justin Wick, Adam and wife Catherine Wick, Christina and husband Kyle Fisher, and Alex Popp.
Friends and family will be received for visitation from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the time of a funeral service Tuesday, September 20, with Pastor Jim Kimmel officiating, in the Frye Funeral Home, Inc., 427 W. Main Street, Monongahela. Interment will follow in Finleyville Cemetery.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Washington Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 66, Eighty Four, PA 15330.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.