Paul G. Herdt, 93, of Gardendale, Texas, and former Russell, Kansas, resident died on Sunday, May 29, 2016, at the Senior Care of Midland in Midland, Texas.

Paul was born on August 29, 1922, in Southeast Russell County, Kansas, the son of John Peter and Kathryn Elizabeth (Ehrlich) Herdt.  He was the youngest of 7 children with two older brothers and 4 sisters.  He grew up in Russell and attended country grade school at Howley District #23 and 3 years at Russell High School.  He was drafted into the United States Army in December of 1942 during World War II.  He spent 3 years with the Army Coast Artillery on the east coast of the U.S..  In 1952, he was recalled back into military service during the Korean War.  He spent 8 months in the far east at Camp Zama in Japan.  In December 1951, he moved to Odessa, Texas to work in the oil fields.  Most of his career was as a truck driver.  From 1954 to 1986, he drove ready-mix concrete trucks, dump trucks and hot shot trucks in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.  He was married to Jackie (Huffman) Herdt from 1970 to 1973 which ended in divorce.  When he retired he moved back to Russell, Kansas, for several years before moving to Gardendale, Texas, to live with his daughter Vanessa.  He was a member of the Temple Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas, and former member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.  He was a former Junior Vice Commander of the Odessa, Texas, V.F.W. Post and enjoyed bowling.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Surviving family include his daughter Vanessa Garner and husband Gary Garner of Gardendale, Texas; sister, Irene Bender of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and grandson Matthew Jones of Granbury, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Patricia Jones; 2 brothers Leo and Sigmund Herdt; 3 sisters Rosie Bender, Clara Mills, Helen Berry.    

A graveside service to celebrate Paul's life will be held at 2 P.M. on Friday, June 03, 2016, at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Military rites will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Friday, June 03, 2016, at the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.