Ralph Herron, a member of Highlawns United Methodist Church in Rivesville, Marion County, has been honored as the “West Virginia United Methodist Man of the Year.”

Herron has been an active member and leader of the Rivesville church for more than 25 years. He has served as chair of the church’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee, as a trustee on the Administrative Board, and as an Annual Conference delegate. He also has worked with the Kids for Christ Community Outreach Program.

In addition, Herron has been active in the United Methodist Church at both the district and conference levels.

Herron is well known among scouts throughout the state. He has served for 12 years as the West Virginia Methodist Conference’s Scouting Coordinator. In that role, Herron acts as the liaison between scouts and the West Virginia United Methodist Men. During their retreat at Jackson’s Mill each September, the men host scouts from across the state who camp and participate in a weekend of outdoor activities known as the Circuit Rider.

This year was the 30th Circuit Rider. Approximately 390 Scouts and their leaders attended.

Herron has been a Certified Scouting Ministry Specialist for 25 years and has served on the Boy Scouts of America’s Mountaineer Area Council’s Executive Board for 20 years.

He is the recipient of numerous United Methodist religious awards including the Cross and Flame Award, the God and Service Award, the Torch Award and the Silver Torch Award.

Don Davis, president of the West Virginia United Methodist Men, announced the “United Methodist Man of the Year” Award during the organization’s Sept. 7-9 retreat at Jackson’s Mill.

Davis said Wayne Custer, Rev. Mark Lubbock and Rev. Harold Langevin helped select Herron for the honor. Custer is president of the United Methodist Men’s North East Jurisdiction. Lubbock, the keynote speaker at this year’s retreat, is a local pastor in the Louisiana Conference and a member of the staff of the General Commission on United Methodist Men. Langevin is pastor of the United Methodist Church’s Belington Circuit, composed of five churches.

Herron is a resident of Fairmont. He and his wife, Kathy, have three sons: Steve, Todd and Victor.