J. Wolford Herman, Jr., 94, of Carlisle, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at UPMC Carlisle with loving family by his side.

He is survived by his daughters Gayle Rich (and her husband Don), of York, and Kathy O'Donnell (and her husband Jack), of Carlisle; his former daughter-in-law Constance Herman (Phillipy) of Carlisle, his sister-in-law Nancy Owens, of Rochester, NY; 15 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Ruth, in March of 2021, and his son Gary W. Herman, 59, who died in January, 2021.

Wolford worked on the family farm, as well as for neighbors growing up. Imagine, if you would be making $1 per row of potatoes he picked for Roy Shughart. He also worked with his dad for PennDot when he was just a 14-year old kid, joining many others shoveling Enola road open after a big snow.

In high school, he ran the 400 in track (single lap) and was on and was a founding member of the baseball team "The Blue Raiders". The team built a field at the corner of Enola Road and Cranes Gap Road where they hosted other local teams.

Wolford's first job out of high school was at a Sawmill on North Mountain; soon landing a job as a truck driver (pickup and delivery) for Carlisle Poultry & Egg.

Drafted into the army - Korean War - Wolford served in country for 6 months as a communication specialist from June through the end of December, 1952.

(Ruth marries Wolford: As told by Sarah, Matthew & David)

Before leaving for Korea, Wolford met the love of his life, Ruth, on a blind date. One of her nursing school friends was dating his Army buddy. They needed transportation and Wolford had a car, so they decided to get a date for him. Ruth didn't agree to the date until she found out it was a NEW car - she didn't want to go out with someone who had an old beat-up car. They met for their blind date at Ruth's brother's house. For Wolford, it was love at first sight.

Once he finished his tour of duty, Wolford returned home to Carlisle, purchased a ring and left Carlisle on the evening of Feb. 2nd, arriving in Columbia, South Carolina on the morning of Feb. 3rd.  Ruth was getting off a shift at the hospital. He was outside of her student nurse's home. She came out and sat in the car and he asked her to marry him. She said yes.

They were married six weeks later on March 21. Following a honeymoon in Florida, he brought his "Georgia peach" back to PA to meet ALL of his family and to start their family.

Once back home, he worked for Glenn Wolf at his equipment/small engine repair shop.

Wolford left there to work in construction and quickly was put in charge of a crew.

Working for a variety of contractors, his last 2 employers were Lobar and ECI. One of his later employers was Skelly & Loy, among the first to install specialized ductwork for solar energy. He was a job superintendent when he retired, then working part time for ECI as a quality control supervisor after retiring.

During his career, Wolford built and remodeled houses, prisons, schools, warehouses, post offices, churches, and 2 West Penn building in Carlisle, which was designed for mobility-impaired individuals over 50. He also supervised the Employment Skills Center construction at the Army War College.

On, and between jobs and sleep, he built his own home around the corner just a mile from the farm where he grew up.

Memories his "Grands" will never forget:

RICH:

Aaron will always remember helping set up camp and starting fires with a healthy portion of gasoline. Then sitting around the fire roasting s'mores and telling stories. "To this day I start campfires this way."

"Over the past 5-6 years he would always tell me I had a wonderful wife and kids and that I needed to take really good care of them."

Courtney remembers her Grandpa always sharing his love for all of his grandchildren.

"He made the best pancakes while camping."

"Strong is one word that comes to mind when I think of Grandpa. But when I think of a personality trait that aligns with that idea of strength and how he portrayed that strength, it would be confidence."

O'DONNELL

David

"Grandpa was always generous with his time, knowledge, and treasure.

I have known no one else as authentically happy for the successes and joys of others."

"His memory was unparalleled. Dates, events, locations, minute details.

If you ever spent time with him in the woods, you felt you knew his deepest self, one animated by a love of wildlife, a knowledge of the land, and the competitive spirit of the sportsman. As he communicated his knowledge in hushed tones, you were drawn into a world in which he was thoroughly at ease, and from which he drew strength."

Matthew

"Grandpa set a wonderful example of how a Christian man should act. He always spoke of his parents with respect. I never heard him use profanity. Even in his last days he continued to pray and sing hymns with us. Visiting Grandma and Grandpa's was always fun! Riding in the wagon behind the mower with Grandpa proudly driving or, best of all, riding on the Honda trail bike!"

Joseph remembers standing beside his Grandpa at a Veterans Day ceremony in Carlisle. "That's when I first felt the call to serve in the military. I was very proud of his service and wanted to follow in his footsteps."

"No one could question his love for his family and country."

For Michael, a noteworthy trait of his grandfather is that "he always stood up for what he thought was right even when there was a cost involved."

"It seemed like Grandpa knew everyone in the Cumberland Valley. He always talked to everyone and always cared about how they were and how their family was doing."

"But it was in church where he shared his gifts, and his love for the Lord – singing hymns so the world could hear every word. His favorites? Joy to the World, In the Garden, and How Great Thou Art."

Sarah remembers his personal loyalty. "He would do anything for the people that he loved."

"I remember going to a Phillies game with Grandpa in 2009. It was so hot that day that they allowed fans to bring coolers of their own water into the ballpark. I remember him buying a scorecard and keeping meticulous score for the entire game. He was 80 at the time."

"He wasn't afraid to tell his grandchildren how proud he was of everything that we did."

"I remember being at Grandpa and Grandma's house when Grandma was having some health issues and how concerned Grandpa was to take care of her. He wanted and needed to be capable in order to give to her. Giving is the thing that he did that helped make me who I am today."

"All of the birthday ear pulling probably helped too!"

Hannah especially appreciated her Grandfather's unexpectedly dry sense of humor; when for no apparent reason he would offer this bit of knowledge: "I've got a bone in my leg".

Hannah has an especially fond memory of her visits to her Grandma and Grandpa's campsite, playing chicken foot in their camper. "I thought that camper was the coolest thing ever. We never went without roasted marshmellows."

"Grandpa was always supportive, showing up to recitals and concerts. But the most memorable thing is, if he could not attend an event, he would always ask about it."

HERMAN

Clay will always remember the love and respect Grandpa had for the great outdoors. "It was at an early age that he taught me how to ride his old Honda 110 trail bike. I loved that thing. It was also him that taught me gun control and hunting at a young age and what it meant to respect both. I'll forever be grateful to him for being responsible for my love of the outdoors."

A final word from Kathy:

"I have seen a quote that says, 'The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother'." Our father came home from work every night, walked in the door and kissed Mom. He had no big hobbies that took him away from Mom all the time. He spent his time with his wife and his children, and extended family. At Dad's last and final hospital stay, several people remarked at how devoted his family was, as so many were there to visit, to love and to pray with him. Dad taught us to be there for family. His family was his everything. I like to think that Dad passed that on to me (and Jack) as we raised our seven children.

One experience that stands out that that I will never forget is April 14th of this year after my husband had outpatient surgery. After we got home and got settled, the doorbell rang. I figured it was a package or something. Instead, I opened the door to find my 94-year-old father standing there with bags of food. He had brought us dinner. Dad had to use a walking stick to get around, but he went to the grocery store and bought some supplies, then went downtown to Redd's Barbecue and bought beef brisket for our dinner. This had to take great effort. But he did it anyway, out of love.

When I think of Dad's life examples, I think of that Davy Crockett quote, "Be sure you're right, then go ahead." If Dad thought a course of action was the right one, he continued on, no matter the cost. This didn't make things easy on him at times, but Dad was willing to do hard things and stand against the tide, for what he thought was best.

A final word from Gayle:

Dad lived his life with love for his family and friends. He had great faith in Jesus and gave so much time, energy and passion to his church and church family. He was proud of his service to our country. It was rare that we'd meet someone and they not have a connection to someone he knew. His passing leaves a hole in many lives.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, PA 17013.  Friends are welcome at Wolford's funeral at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023, at Faith Chapel of Carlisle, 1453 Holly Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015 with a viewing from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.  Pastor Michael Mayer will officiate. Graveside service with military honors by Cumberland County Honor Guard to follow at Longsdorf Cemetery, 200 N. Locust Point Rd., New Kingstown, PA 17072.  Memorial contributions in Wolford's honor may be made to Faith Chapel of Carlisle.  www.EwingBrothers.com