James “Jim” Lester Herriford, 85, of Lexington, KY passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the Pine Meadows Post Acute facility with friends and family by his side.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Reba (Huff) Herriford, his parents, Lester and Elizabeth (Lester) Herriford, and a brother, David (Linda) Herriford.
SURVIVORS:
1 son & daughter-in-law: (Greg & Kelly Herriford)
2 granddaughters: Autumn (Josh) Boes and Meredith (Jacob) Tellman
1 great-granddaughter: Addison Blake Tellman
1 brother: Ron (Pam) Herriford
Many other family members & friends
Jim was born on February 2, 1941 in Swan Pond Bottom (Russell County). During his childhood, he lived in different countries and parts of the United States as his father, Lester, was an active serviceman in the United States Navy.
The Herrifords eventually settled back in Jamestown, KY.
After graduating from Russell County High School, Jim, with his brother David, moved to Nashville, TN, to attend drafting school. Afterwards, Jim enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country in Vietnam.
After the military, Jim returned to his home in Jamestown, KY, where he would soon meet the love of his life, Reba Huff. They married in 1968. The young married couple moved to Lexington, where Jim had just begun a job at IBM. The newlyweds found an apartment in the fairly new Gardenside neighborhood on Lexington’s growing southwest side of town. They would live in the Gardenside area for the rest of their lives.
Jim worked at both IBM and Lexmark before retiring after nearly 30 years as an engineer. When not at work, Jim could be found either fishing or at home, in the yard, working on a project.
Jim was a noted “junk man” and proud of it. He had an incredible knack for finding discarded things (lawn mowers, bicycles, etc) and bringing them back to life! His yard sales were pretty epic.
Jim was a longtime member of Gardenside Christian Church until recently moving his membership to First Christian Church (Lexington, KY) when his son Greg became the minister there.
He had many hobbies and interests, but Jim’s favorite thing was his family.
Jim took time to hang out with his only child, Greg. Their favorite activity together was attending University of Kentucky football games.
When Greg married Kelly in 1997, she became the daughter Jim never had. He was also a doting grandfather to his granddaughters Autumn and Meredith, who affectionately called him “Pop.” Jim was able to spend a few months with his great-granddaughter Addison (born February 17, 2026), and enjoyed every second of it!
After the death of his beloved wife, Reba, in late 2014, the last 11-plus years of Jim’s life have been challenging.
The Herriford family would like to say a special thanks to the Lewis Care Home (Ewing, KY) and the staff of Pine Meadows Post Acute (Lexington, KY) for helping Jim with the final steps of his earthly journey.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 2nd, at 11 am (Central Standard Time) at the Jamestown City Cemetery, Jamestown, KY 42629. Arrangements are being provided by H.E. Pruitt Memory Chapel in Jamestown.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 1-3 pm at First Christian Church, 1305 Audubon Avenue, Lexington, KY
