Jeffrey Owen Heflin

HEFLIN Jeffrey Owen Heflin, 38, Jacksonville, FL, died at 10:20am on Saturday, March 6th in Owensboro, KY. After a brave and lengthy battle with cancer, Jeff peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 22, 1972 in Owensboro, KY to Doris Cooper Heflin. He spent his childhood with his sister, Cynthia Dawn Heflin, and cousin, Melanie Roberts. He graduated from Apollo High School in 1990. Jeff married Whitney Lynn Denkhoff on June 6, 1997 in Jacksonville, FL. He served in the US Navy for 14 years (1990-2004) where he traveled widely and earned the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Jeff graduated with honors from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in August 2007. After college, Jeff started his career as a Production Supervisor at Henry Schein, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL. His family, friends, work and school colleagues knew him to be a compassionate, brave, and positive person. He was an optimist at heart and enjoyed electronics, customizing his Ford Mustang, and everything science fiction under the sun. Jeff is survived by his wife, Whitney (Jacksonville, FL); mother and stepfather, Doris and Gary Higgs (Owensboro, KY); maternal grandmother, Bernice Brown (Owensboro, KY); sister and brother-in-law, Cynthia Dawn and Bill Hagenbuch (Scottsville, KY); stepbrother Jordan Higgs and stepsisters Laura and Amanda Higgs (Owensboro, KY); his beloved Aunt Debbie and Uncle Gary Roberts (Owensboro, KY); Aunt Kathy and Uncle Larry Burgh (Owensboro, KY); Aunt Sherry Cooper (Owensboro, KY); Aunt Cindy Henry (Owensboro, KY); Uncle Tim Cooper (Florida); Uncle Tony Cooper (Chattanooga, TN); Uncle Mike and Aunt Terri Heflin (Bowling Green, KY); Aunt Lois and Uncle Bill Sapp (Owensboro, KY); Aunt Linda Heflin (Bowling Green, KY); and cousins, Alex, Garrett, Greg, Heather, Jacob, Jenny, Jessica, Keena, Mike, Mark, Matt, Nathan, TJ, and Wesley. Jeff also is survived by his ornery, but well loved and misunderstood, cat, Nala. Jeff was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Richard A. and Pearl Heflin (Owensboro, KY); Aunt, Joyce Heflin (Louisville, KY); cousin, Melanie Roberts (Owensboro, KY); and cousin, Jamie Heflin (Bowling Green, KY). Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 13th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Haley-McGinnis & Owensboro Funeral Home. The memorial service will be held at 1:00pm. Graveside service with full military honors will directly follow at the Rosehill & Elmwood Cemetery in Owensboro, KY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Western Kentucky at www.hospiceohiovalley.org The family wishes to specifically thank the following individuals and institutions for their continued support of Jeff and his family throughout his battle with cancer: the entire staff of Hospice of Western Kentucky, and specifically his nurse Dana Tuttle and his doctor Neville Sakari for their compassionate care of both his body and soul; the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, and specifically, Kerith Brandt, P.A., for her unfaltering kindness; Henry Schein, Inc., and specifically, Mr. Peter Cheese and the many work colleagues that provided words of comfort; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, and specifically Mr. Jay Alligood, along with the Internal Audit department staff and the entire LBA management team, for their unfaltering support during times that Whitney was unable to work due to the many trips to M.D. Andersen for treatment; and last but not least, Jeff and Whitney's beloved friends: Chris and deAnne DeLeon, Nancy Elliott, Nancy Locke, Nick and Janine Pappas, Maxine Person, and Vincent Shea, who over the course of several years, spent weeks cat sitting, performed numerous airport pickups, checked mail, and always lent an ear and open heart. In the face of Jeff's relentless disease, all these individuals and institutions provided bright reminders of love, compassion, hope and giving. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com