Kevin Duane Herd
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Kevin Duane Herd, 69, of Columbia passed away and entered into his eternal reward on December 17, 2022. He was born on August 1, 1953 in Joplin, Missouri the son of John and Pam Herd and raised in Carterville, Missouri.
Kevin enjoyed a close-knit, loving childhood with his parents and his older sister, Zana. He was a graduate and lifelong supporter of Webb City High School, and after graduation, he attended and become a graduate of Missouri Southern State College in 1975. Then, came a two year adventure in Southern California, before he moved to Dallas, Texas in 1979. It was in Dallas that he met the love of his life, Edith Walter, and after a whirlwind romance that began with a Texas Rangers baseball game, they were married on April 4, 1981.
Kevin was a charismatic, magnetic, larger than life personality who never knew a stranger. He made friends everywhere he went, and often turned normal, day to day moments into memorable spectacles with people he had just met. This bled into his professional life, as he was first an award winning salesman for decades, and then, in his later years, a travel advisor for his beloved Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
The most important parts of Kevin’s life were his faith and his family. He was a member of Blue Ridge Christian Church from 1996 until his death, and for more than a decade he proudly served as part of the leadership team as an elder and deacon. He loved his wife dearly through 41 years of marriage, and their marriage resulted in a daughter, Stephanie, and a son, Jonathan. Stephanie and Jonathan were the center of his life; he structured his time and schedule to constantly support and be a part of their childhood activities. He loved Stephanie and Jonathan more than anything else, and his proudest moments included being honored to baptize Stephanie into Christ and participate in the ordination into Christian Ministry for Jonathan.
Kevin is survived by his wife, Edith Herd, and his children, Stephanie (Drew) Snyder, and Jonathan (Amanda George) Herd. He’s also survived by his sister, Zana (Fred) Landreth, and several nieces and nephews, whom he dearly loved.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 21 at Blue Ridge Christian Church. Visitation is 2:00-4:00 PM, with a service immediately after, and a meal following. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for Blue Ridge Christian Church, 2400 Blue Ridge Rd, Columbia, MO.
Kevin was Our beloved friend always thinking of others.
We will miss him soo much but he is waiting for us in Heaven. We weren’t ready to lose him. I guess God needed him more he is no longer suffering a blessing.
Till we meet again in heaven Kevin!
Kevin was a true friend and my brother in Christ. I feel privileged to have known him, and I look forward to reuniting in Heaven. It is rare to find a friend who is loyal and supportive. Please save seats for us at the banquet table of Christ. Kevin endured many health problems during the past few years; yet, he never complained or voiced the unfairness of his maladies. I am confident he is excited to be in his eternal body. Merry Christmas brother! What an honor you have been bestowed i. e. to celebrate the birth of our Messiah in His presence. You are already missed!
Kevin was always one of the first to greet you at church, and offer a meal to get to know you better. He was always loving and cared for the ones he loved . It will be hard not seeing him at church conversing with his spiritual family. He is truelly missed .
Kevin had a sense of humor you could never forget. In the last few years, I have missed his giving communion meditations. I always enjoyed the ones he did. He was quite a guy and will miss him greatly, but he beat me home !!!
Kevin and Edith were always serving the Lord! I so enjoyed their company, faith, testimony and encouragement while I was at Westside Christian Church! I will forever be grateful for Kevin’s joyful laugh and and his love of Edith.
Rest in peace with your new perfect body in heaven, Kevin!
Prayers and Hugs to Edith, Stephanie and Jonathan.
Kevin and I were both members of the Webb City (MO) high school class of 1971. Kevin was a lifelong supporter of our alma mater and an avid WC Cardinals fan. We both lived other places over the years but reconnected in the 1990s, both living in the Columbia (MO) area. This timeframe coincided with the rise in dominance of the WC high school football program. Over the years Kevin organized and attended a wide variety of Class of 71 alumni events and many, many WC Cardinal football regular season, playoff and championship outings. The Cardinal faithful will miss his presence in the stadium. It was my experience that Kevin approached everything in life, especially love of his family and his Christian faith, like he approached his devotion to his southwest Missouri roots, full throttle. I will miss you every day, buddy!
Kevin was my first friend. I can remember no childhood friend before him. We attended church, 12 years of school, and although he moved away after graduation we stayed in touch for the big things in life. I remember the day he told me he’d found Edith- the one he knew God made for him. Birth of kids, loss of parents, WC football championships – I knew a call would come from Kevin. I don’t remember a year – although I know there were some – that I did not answer the phone on my birthday to hear him sing Happy Birthday. My last conversation with him ended with me saying I expect to hear you sing to me in January. I will miss you, old friend. The world will be a little less bright without you.
Our heartfelt condolences are extended to Edith, Stephanie & Jonathan & his sister Zana & their extended family. Kevin was my only biological male cousin.Seven years younger than myself, & always humorous & a prankster full of wit. Distance kept us apart most of our life’s as my parents moved to Houston, Texas when I was 3 before his birth. But we spent many holidays & several weeks of each summer with them. Many fun memories growing up.Always enjoyed our phone conversations.Our loss here on earth is heavens gain. He had many of our kin to greet him at those pearly gates, what a celebration that must have been. Keep Kevin alive in your hearts & memories. I cherish my memories of him & all of our other kin have gone before us. May God embrace you all with his peace. Love you all from Texas! Beautiful Service & I so enjoyed the video presentation & being able to participate on his memorial celebration through zoom. Thank you for sharing! Love Lynda & Steve Dement & our three daughters & their families.
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Kevin’s motto should of been ”Love God, Love People”, because that is how he lived his life. He never met a stranger that he couldn’t make smile. Kevin, Edith and family have been friends for over 30 years. Even though we didn’t see each other often, Kevin always made us feel comfortable. Conversations were easy and the Lord’s light always shined through him. My deepest sympathy to all of his family and friends. This isn’t goodbye Kevin, but SEE YOU LATER!!
Kevin was a life long friend. We grew up knowing each other though church. Kevin and I recently connected again and talked frequently. I just learned of his passing and am sorry to hear but know that he is singing praises every day and sharing with family and friends in heaven. My condolences to family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kevin was one of my best friends from grade school until now. I will really miss him but I know that he is safe in his eternal home.