Shaun was born on February 2, 1969, in Sulphur, to James Edward Herring and Linda Fern (Swinford) Herring. His early interests included spending hours on his bicycle in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, summers at the Bellevue pool, camping with the Boy Scouts, and playing his trumpet in the Sulphur High School marching band. Shaun was awarded his Eagle Scout at age 15.

On September 3, 1989, Shaun married the love of his life, Nita Fay (Patterson) Herring. The couple spent their free time perusing bookstores, taking trips to the mountains, and spoiling their nieces and nephews. Shaun worked as a furniture designer and draftsman before joining Okemah High School to teach math and drafting. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from University of Central Oklahoma. He thoroughly enjoyed his students and loved it when they finally understood a concept they had been struggling to grasp. His unconventional teaching style paired with his patience and sense of humor garnered him a Teacher of the Year award. Throughout his life, Shaun was known for his love of learning, generosity, and being a patient teacher to anyone that had a desire to learn. He had a special talent for making people feel seen.

With the birth of their first son, Caleb Austin Hayden Herring, in 2004, the proud parents decided Shaun would become a stay-athome dad to allow Nita to focus on her career. Their second son, Patrick John Aaron Herring, was born in 2008, and the trio of boys spent many hours at museums, playgrounds, and the zoo. His boys were a constant source of joy and he gave them plenty of space to pursue their interests. The family also enjoyed traveling, especially long road trips to the Calgary Stampede, around the Great Lakes, and states from Florida to California.

Shaun is survived by his wife, Nita Herring; his sons, Caleb Herring and Patrick Herring; his mother, Linda Herring; his sister, Bobbie June (Herring) Luce, and many other relatives and friends who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Herring; his grandfather, James Arthur Herring and grandmother, Myrtle Mandy (Templeton) Herring; his grandfather, Orville Augustine Swinford and grandmother, Fern Nellie (Wille) Swinford.

A Celebration of Life honoring Shaun will be held on August 21, 2026, at the Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center, 4205 Goddard Youth Camp Road, Sulphur, OK. Attendees are invited to come-andgo from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with speakers beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Shaun’s life cannot be summed up in so few words when he lived his life with intention, love and integrity in everything he did. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.