Jorge D. Herrera, 92, of Kansas City, MO, died Sunday, June 10, 2018, at North Kansas City Hospital. He was born October 8, 1925, in Havana, Cuba to the late Doroteo and Rosa (Velasco) Herrera. Jorge, was the oldest child in his family, graduating from Baldor High School.
He then went on to graduate from the University of Havana where he earned a degree in Business. After graduating, he worked for his father’s company as a salesman; importing and exporting perfumes and soaps. He enjoyed all that Havana had to offer including beaches, night clubs, food and culture.
It was at a dance that he met his wife Gladys. When Castro took over Cuba, Jorge and Gladys came to the United States in the late 1960’s. Ultimately they settled in Kansas City, where his youngest brother Orlando and his family lived.
Jorge and Gladys proudly represented the Jose Marti Cuban Cultural Society at many fundraisers and events over the years. He worked for Chrysler until the age of 55, when he was offered early retirement. He then went to work for Allied Signal and retired from there after 15 years of service.
Because he was always an active person, he then spent the next 11 years as a Crossing Guard at Fox Hill Elementary School where he loved greeting the children and their parents every day. In his retirement, he enjoyed going on road trips around the United States; favorites were annual trips to Florida and many trips to Branson where he would spoil the grandchildren. He often took the grandkids to Chuck E Cheese—for no special reason other than it made them happy.
His children remember many camping trips to Lake Paradise when they were young, and he will forever be remembered for his “famous” Black Beans—there is something special in his recipe that no one can seem to duplicate. He will be truly missed for his loving heart, positive attitude and his never ending love and dedication to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Gladys Herrera, daughters Cecilia Tapia and Arlene (Bryan) Lee.
Grandchildren Branden, Alec, Alaina and Christian; brother Orlando (Donna) Herrera, nieces Stacey Gonzales and Andrea Shumate and other extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, Jorge is preceded in death by his sister Violeta Willis and brothers Ramiro and Guillermo Herrera. Visitation will be 10-11 AM on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
Funeral Service will begin at 11 AM all at Terrace Park Funeral Home, 801 NW 108th St. (169 Hwy & Shoal Creek) Kansas City, MO. Interment will follow in Terrace Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.
Share online condolences at TerraceParkFuneral.com. Donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 Tel: 1-800-805-5856 Web: www.
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