Herbert "Coondog" St. John

Herbert "Coondog" St. John, age 72, of Vian, Oklahoma, passed away on August 18, 2026, in Gore, Oklahoma. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at McCoy Evening Shade Cemetery in Vian, under the caring direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

Born on October 21, 1953, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Herbert devoted his life to hard work as a construction worker and found joy in coaching, storytelling, and watching football.

He is remembered by his daughter, Jessica Zysk of New Mexico, and his grandchildren, Pierce and Kiah Zysk; his sisters, Sylvia St. John Honeycutt of Sallisaw, OK, and Saphronia St. John of Vian, OK, eight nieces, Jennifer, Marie, Maggie and Erica Liberto, Mikka Perceful, Claudetta Buttery, Adlee Sharp and Charlee Honeycutt; one nephew, Billy Honeycutt, Jr.; and a loving family of great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

Herbert was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia Joyce (McCoy) St. John and Charles Barritt St. John, as well as his siblings, Charlene Virginia St. John, Edith St. John Liberto, and Charles St. John, Jr., in addition to his great-nephew, Christian Logan.

Honoring his life, active pallbearers will be Uriah Grass, Lyndon Smith, Richard S. Smith, Gavin McGirt, Bub Morris, Marty Smith, and Chad Strickland. Honorary pallbearers include Larry McCoy, Marvin McCoy, Pete Kingfisher, Larry Bolin, James Locust, Paul Hodgens, Bill McElroy and Preston Bentley.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during the viewing from noon to 8 PM on Friday at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw. Herbert's legacy is one of love and strength, deeply felt by all who knew him.