Gerald Olney G.O. Herndon

Gerald Olney G.O. Herndon

May 12, 1923 - November 15, 2010

Gerald Olney G.O. Herndon

May 12, 1923 - November 15, 2010

Obituary

Gerald Olney Herndon G.O., 87 yrs, passed away peacefully Monday, November 15, 2010 in Corona Del Mar, California. He is survived by his brother John Herndon; son George Herndon, daughter Mary Junda; son William Herndon and grandson Rudolph William Junda.

Born in New York City on May 12, 1923; son of Corinne Constance Herndon C.C. and Stephen Olney Metcalf S.O. who was president of the Providence Journal for many years.

G.O. served in the Signal Corps in the U.S. Army in World War II, stationed in Cascablanca, Corsica and Florence. Post-war, he graduated from Williams College and in 1951, married Mary Ellen Rhodes Turri from Short HIlls, NJ. They had 4 children: George, Mary, Tamsen and William.

G.O. was an investigative reporter for the Evening Star now the Washington Times in Washington D.C., 1951-1967. While at the Evening Star, G.O. distinguished himself as a thorough and relentless reporter. In the early 60s he wrote front-page stories on the first research to come out of England connecting cigarette smoking and cancer. He also started the column ‘Action Line,’ one of the first consumer advocate columns that answered readers’ questions and complaints concerning a wide variety of topics. He was on the copy desk when a cub reporter named Carl Bernstein came on as a copy boy. Bernstein, who became famous for breaking the Watergate story with Bob Woodward, said that G.O. Herndon was a mentor and was one of his biggest influences in his decision to become an investigative reporter. G.O. joined Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign to run for president in 1968 as public relations director.

Thinking life was too short, G.O. wanted to enjoy life at its fullest and in 1973 retired to Laguna Beach, California. Services will be held on Saturday, November 27th, at the O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association.

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11 responses to Gerald Olney G.O. Herndon

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  1. Bob Gardner says:

    Jerry was a great friend, and we had some great times together. We enjoyed the beach, and threw the frisbee many, many hours down there. We also spent many evenings having dinner together and playing backgammon. Jerry was always so sharp, and his vocabulary was unmatched. I had to be on my toes. He also loved the ladies, and would charm them constantly. They loved it. And I was one of the only people besides the ladies who regularly was offered one of the precious chocolates which Jerry always had. He was Jerramore, and I was Bobbamore.

  2. G.O. was always kind to we visitors at his raucous DC home, and full of wry and impish counsel. I’m glad to have known him and the entire Herndon family.

  3. Robert Carey says:

    Where are we now to get our chocolate or play cribage

  4. Jim Mills says:

    I met G O when he arrived in Laguna in 1973 to take up resi-dence in our fair city by the sea. I found him to be nicely opinionated and full of fun.
    He was proud that he swam in the ocean every day he was in town.
    I have missed him.
    Jim Mills 112310

  5. Kate and I express our deepest sympathies. I remember G.O. very well and very fondly.

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