Eli Herrera

It is with heavy hearts that we must lay to rest our beloved Poppa. Confidant, quipster, and core, he has passed from this life into his eternal “Friday morning” peacefully. He was a great man whose influence will carry us for the rest of our lives. Eli was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who could always be depended upon for anything. He did everything within his power to give his children and grandchildren all that they deserved and worked extremely hard, often without recognition, to fulfill it. It truly was a privilege to be a part of this amazing man’s life, sharing in many fond memories and learning from his infinite wisdom. Poppa will be greatly missed by all of us but we find solace knowing that he is finally reunited with his mother and father, whom he longed so much to see, and will be looking down on us from Heaven.
Eli was a small town boy, born the third son of Dann and Mary Herrera. He enjoyed fishing and country life in Montrose, Colorado and spoke of those golden years often. A few years later, he found city life and the addition of seven siblings just as fun and exciting. Upon graduating from West High School, he went to work for Kennecott Copper and enjoyed a long and successful career for 35 years before retiring. Eli married his high school sweetheart Mary Ann in 1962 and together they built a marriage that would last for 52 years. Although he took on adult responsibilities at a young age, he remained a kid at heart – making the most of family vacations and his grandsons’ various sporting events. A 5-time cancer survivor, to us he seemed invincible.
Eli is preceded in death by his mother, Mary (Cruz) Martinez; fathers, Dann Herrera and Tony Martinez; and brother, Eugene (Ann) Herrera. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Martinez) Herrera; daughters, Deborah (Nathan) Parkin, Lorrie (Jeff) Johnson, and Stacy Herrera; grandchildren, William and Jessica Parkin, Eli Wyatt Parkin, Benjamin Johnson, and Tyler Johnson; siblings, George Herrera, Ronnie and Jane Martinez, Michael and Judy Martinez, Rudy and Toni Martinez, Anna and Dave Sandoval, Tommy Martinez, Henry Martinez, as well as many nephews and Nieces.
Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
Services will be held at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Salt Lake City. A Rosary will be held Services will be held at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Salt Lake City. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, November 20th at 7:00 PM and a mass will be held on Friday, November 21st at 11:00 AM.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.holladaycottonwoodmortuary.com