Herbert E. Hough (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Herbert Eldon Hough, Sr., son of Ashford and Ella Schnieder Hough, was born September 8, 1922, near Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday, March 12, 2017, in Mercy Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-four years, six months, and four days.
On November 1, 1947, he was united in marriage to Virginia Jean Woodfill and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean, on September 16, 2007; and a sister, Helen Spurlock.
Herbert is survived by a son, Herbert E. Hough, Jr., of Boston, Massachusetts; a daughter, Jennifer Webb, and her husband, Bruce, of Columbia, Missouri; five grandchildren, Barbara Webb, and her husband, Seth Warn, of Columbia, Missouri, Susan Randerson, and her husband, Patrick, of Reston, Virginia, Michael Webb, and his wife, Kimberly, of Columbia, Missouri, Sarah Hough, of Chicago, Illinois, and Charlotte Hough, of New York City, New York; three great-grandchildren, Alex and Lucy Randerson, and Danielle Webb; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was born and raised in the Lebanon, Missouri area and graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1940. He enlisted in the Naval Air Corps in July of 1942 and received his pilot’s wings and commission of 2nd Lieutenant in 1944. He was released to inactive duty in January of 1946 and was recalled to active duty in May of 1952. He spent nine months in Korea and was released in November of 1954. He attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield and William Jewel College in Liberty while in military service. He resigned his commission of Major in the Marine Corps in 1960 to accept commission in the Missouri National Guard, where he served in various administrative positions and also was a Senior Army Aviator. He was assigned as Battalion Commander and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1969 and maintained that rank until retirement in April of 1972. Among his many awards and medals he received the Air Medal, Korean Presidential Citation, U.S. Presidential Unit Citation, and the State of Missouri Meritorious Service Medal.
He worked for ten years as part owner of a family owned business. He then was part owner and manager of the Lebanon Coca-Cola Bottling Company for fourteen years. He managed the Ford dealership as part owner of Johnson-Hough Ford in Lebanon for four years. He was part owner of H.A.M. Autovend, a vending company which furnished a line of vending services to military installations including Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Campbell, and Fort Scott. In 1972, he completed training as an Account Executive and worked for Reinholdt & Gardner, a regional brokerage firm, from 1973 until 1976. He remained active in the investment field for the rest of his life.
Herbert was a longtime member of First Congregational Church in Lebanon.
He belonged to the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, and was a forty year member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge. He belonged to the American Legion, where he was a past commander, and the V.F.W. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing and hunting, and he and Jean loved to travel and visited many wonderful places.
Herbert was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will remember him as a devoted family man, a dedicated soldier, a wise businessman, and a patriotic citizen. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
What’s your fondest memory of Herbert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Herbert?
Share a story where Herbert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Herbert you’ll never forget.
How did Herbert make you smile?