Troy Eugene Herrmann

Troy Eugene Herrmann, born in Agra, Oklahoma, on November 12, 1935, peacefully passed into the arms of his Lord after 89 faithful, loving, and laugh-filled years.

Troy packed a lot of life into his time here—starting with a year at Arkansas University, two years in the Army, and 65 years of being completely and utterly devoted to the love of his life, Marilyn Kay (seriously, he never stopped bragging about her and her beauty). They married in 1959, raised four amazing and unique kids (and sometimes slightly mischievous), and they built a beautiful life in Colorado starting in 1958.

He spent 33 years with the telephone company—back when phones still had cords—and later drove a school bus for eight more years, because retirement was apparently just a suggestion and he loved the kids and being at all their activities.

Troy was a man of God, a faithful husband, a family man to his core, a rancher, and a hunting guide who loved the mountains as much as he loved a good story (and boy, could he tell one). He never met a stranger, only future friends. If talking were an Olympic sport, Troy would have brought home the gold.

Music was the soundtrack of Troy’s life. He had a deep love for gospel and classic country, when country music was country, but his playlists (and we use that term loosely) also included a surprising variety—from polka to Bruce Springsteen to Vince Gill. Technology wasn’t exactly his best friend, so sometimes he’d be caught listening to the same song on his iPod for hours, simply because he couldn’t figure out how to change it. But he didn’t mind—especially if that song was Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill, his all-time favorite.

He is survived by his sweetheart Marilyn, daughters Kay Donette, Tammy Lynn, and Troylene, along with a joyful crowd of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his brother Donald Watkins and anyone else lucky enough to be claimed as family.

He is now reunited with his beloved son Bret Eugene, grandson Bret Michael, his parents Chester and Ora, and all but one of his 12 siblings, including his twin sister Floy Maxine (he always said she got the better looks).

Join us as we celebrate his incredible life at a Graveside Service at Lewis Cemetery, 1 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2025, followed by a potluck at Arriola Community Center at 2:30 PM—because if there’s one thing Troy loved almost as much as people, it was a good homemade meal.

In true Troy fashion, come ready to laugh, cry, and maybe tell a SHORT story or two.