Gabriel Herron, Jr.

Gabriel Antonio Edward Herron, Jr., 26, of Windom, KS and formerly of Edwardsville, KS and San Antonio, TX, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024, due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in Rice County, KS.

Gabriel was born on October 28, 1998, in San Antonio, TX, the son of Gabriel Antonio Edward Herron, Sr. and Jennifer Gonzalez. He attended Roosevelt Grade School, St. Joseph Catholic School, and McPherson Middle School, all in McPherson, KS, and graduated in 2017 from Holy Cross High School in San Antonio, TX. He continued his education at Northwest Vista College and University of Texas, both in San Antonio, TX. In January 2023, he graduated from Oklahoma Horseshoeing School in Purcell, OK.

He worked at Sellers Feedlot in Lyons, KS and was a cowboy and farrier. He owned & operated Herron’s Farrier Service in Windom, KS.

Gabriel aspired to be great, and he didn’t disappoint. His rugged cowboy exterior protected his heart of gold. He was kind, generous and funny. There wasn’t a room he couldn’t light up with his smile or a person he couldn’t make laugh. His laughter was contagious, and often we would laugh until we cried, which was exactly how he wanted it. He would do everything he could to shield his family and those he loved from any kind of pain or disappointment. He didn’t believe in getting angry or holding grudges, he always said it was a waste of time.

He loved his family and would do anything for them. He was proud of his brother and was working towards enlistment in the Air Force with the hope that one day, they could serve side by side. He went to farrier school with his sister and during that time an unbreakable bond was forged. He was the spitting image of his father in both looks and spirit.

His laid back, go with the flow personality didn’t hinder his sense of adventure. He began riding bronc’s in the rodeo. Accompanied by his sister’s boyfriend, Ryan, they traversed Kansas to compete. Being bucked off didn’t phase him. He just brushed the dust off and prepared for the next ride. His nature wasn’t built for quitting.

He fell in love with a lifelong family friend’s daughter and was looking forward to building his family. Adrian is the love of his life, and Ella, the apple of his eye. He promised Adrian that he was going to give them the life they deserved. Ella loved riding on his shoulders and playing with the curls in her “Daddy Bear’s” hair. He was no longer just our boy; he was transitioning into the man we all knew he would be.

Although his life was cut short, he made sure that he lived every second his way, on his terms. This impacted everyone who knew and loved him. Everyone he touched was better off to have known him. There is no better legacy to leave behind.

He is survived by his parents, Gabriel Herron, Sr. (Michaela) of Edwardsville, KS and Jennifer Gonzales (Jessie Tellez) of San Antonio, TX; siblings, Gage Herron of Camp Pendleton, CA, Sailor Herron of Windom, KS, and Elizabeth Taylor of Canton, KS; significant other, Adrian Neufeld and her daughter, Ella, of Moundridge, KS; grandmothers, Beatrice Herron of San Antonio, TX, Pam Lawson of Edwardsville, KS, and Betty Espinoza of San Antonio, TX; aunt, DeAndrea Herron of San Antonio, TX; uncle, Max Ladet of Kansas City, MO; great-grandmother, Charlotte Rosales of Elk Grove, CA; and many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandfathers, Antonio Santos Rosales, Robert Lee Spratling, and Thomas James Ladet, Sr.; great-grandmothers, Patricia Ann Lawson and Julia Roberta (Reardon) Ladet; and grandfathers, Lt. Col. C. Edward Herron, Michael John Slaughter, and Thomas James Ladet, Jr. 

Rosary will begin at 9:30 AM, Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, McPherson with Funeral Rite following at 10:00 AM at the church. Fr. Michael Kerschen will be the celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Windom Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Oklahoma Horseshoeing School in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.