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BORN
1941
DIED
2006
James Heffernan Obituary
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday at Acton United Methodist Church, 3433 Fall Creek Hwy., Granbury.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Mr. Heffernan was born Nov. 21, 1941, in Taylor to James and Bertha Seale Heffernan. He married Jan Bowden, Sept. 11, 1965, in San Antonio.
"Heffo" was a loving and inspirational husband, father and grandfather. He made a tremendous impact on his family and friends. In addition to his family, he touched many lives in his 32 years as a teacher and coach.
He graduated from Taylor High School and from Southwest Texas University with a B.S. in education in 1967. He taught and coached in Rankin, Castleberry, Huntington and Gilmer school districts. He and his wife, Jan, also a teacher, retired and moved to Pecan Plantation near Granbury in 2003. After retirement he became a "super sub" at Granbury and Glen Rose ISD. He was dedicated to the teaching profession and "his kids." He left a legacy as a caring and loving teacher and coach.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Betty Brown.
Survivors: Wife, Jan Heffernan; daughter, Julie Heffernan Mikeska; son, Jimmy Heffernan and wife, Kristina; and grandchildren, Baylie Mikeska, Blake Mikeska, Kaitlyn Heffernan and Braxton Heffernan.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Heffernan
Nanette Ramsey (Moss)
May 11, 2006
I was saddened when I heard the news about Coach "Heffo", I was a student of his at Huntington High,I remember the time when I was going through a rough go of it with my mom dieng, Coach Heffo inspired me to continue on with my studies and to become something to make my Mother proud, So as with those words I continued on in life, and now have a career in Veterinary Medicine. Your Family will continue to be in my Prayers
Kathy (Hall)Graham
May 9, 2006
I mostly remember the calming affect you had on me at my track meets. Michael and I have a lot of good memories of you. Our prayers go to the family. You will be missed. Thanks for the time you spent with me.
Michael Graham
May 9, 2006
A ton of memories flooded my mind when I heard coach Heffernan's name. He was like a second father to me. His great attitude and spirit will always have a place in my heart! I love you and your family and my prayers are with the family.
Scott Graham
May 9, 2006
I am very sorry for your loss. Jim was definitely one of a kind. I remember his enthusiasm and genuine caring for all of the kids he taught/coached and how well he dealt with the parents who may have been a little too involved at times. He was special. I feel very fortunate to have had him as a football coach. I remember he had us watch Rocky IV before one of our football games. He told us that the movie emphasized just about everything a coach tries to instill in his players. I thought that was pretty cool then and still do now. Julie, Jimmy, Jan and your families are in my prayers.
Robin Futch
May 6, 2006
Jan, Julie and Jimmy,
Our family has very fond memories of Jim and we will treasure them always. Please accept our deepest sympathy. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Ida Robertson Saxton
Robin Robertson Futch
Mickey & Karen Mixon
May 6, 2006
Heffo was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, people I ever knew and worked with in the coaching profession. Our time together in Huntington is still treasured by my family and me.
Peri Morehead Page
May 5, 2006
Mrs. Heffernan & Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I live in Huntington and I remember Coach Heffernan as being a very caring person, super friendly, very personable, and the one thing about him that sticks out in my mind most of all has to be his smile! I never had him as a teacher nor as a coach, but EVERY single time I ever passed him in the hallways, he always smiled first and another thing about that smile of his...it was highly contagious as was his personality.
How rewarding it must be to know that both your life and his have been devoted to serving others for everyone's betterment. I too chose the teaching field like the 2 of you and am most grateful for the time spent in using my God given gifts and talents to help further others...Coach Heffo's works shall never stop as they will continue on effecting others as they're handed down from his students to their children in the form of lessons learned.
May you know always, the comfort and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ, for only He is able to carry you through such a time as this.
Always,
Nikki Yordy
May 5, 2006
Heffo will forever remain alive in my heart. I had the opportunity to work with him at AEP in Gilmer. Although I never was a student in his classroom, God gave me such favor to be his student in life. There are countless jewels of wisdom that I will forever hold dear that were given to me in casual conversations or play and banter.
There was never a day that passed spent with him that didn't bring joy or laughter. I can't recollect a Friday that has passed in many years that I haven't thought of him or his famous (if not a little worn out) TGIF joke.
Heffo loved people, he loved and lived life, he loved God, and he cherished knowing how blessed he was to have the wife and family his Creator filled his life with. There aren't enough words in the dictionary to express what a great man he was or how much I will miss him.
God bless you Jan & family. I will think and pray for you all often.
Deborah Wynn
May 5, 2006
Jan,
My thoughts and prayers will be will with you for a long time to come. I feel very blessed for having met your family and I hope I was able to be a source of some comfort to you in your time of need. Heffo has probably already made friends with half the people in heaven!
Vanessa Johnson
May 5, 2006
Jan,
I only met you once or twice, but I worked with Heffo at the alternative school for 2 years. At the time, we were all one big family. Heffo called me Nessie and always made me feel like he would get the moon for me if I wanted it. One wonderful tribute of Heffo is I think he made everyone feel the same way: If you wanted the moon, he would get it for you.
Thank you for sharing him with me and the world. My prayers are with you.
Jan Frost
May 5, 2006
Jan, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Eve Galbreath-Stephens
May 5, 2006
Jan, Julie and Jimmy,
I was so sad to hear about the loss of Heffo. I have fond memories of him from our days in Apache Belles. You have my deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Eve
Carrie Pritchett
May 5, 2006
I had Coach Heffo as a geography instructor, but the most important lessons I received out of that class were LIFE lessons. He had his own "Heffo-ized" way of looking at the world, and for this young naive 17 year old it was the kick in the pants I needed to improve my self-esteem and say exactly what I felt about things. I never got to tell these things to him in person, how much his class meant, because I was just too shy at the time, but Thank You Coach Heffo, you will be sorely missed but there are so many lives you touched that your legacy lives on. My condolences to the Heffernan family.
Carrie Pritchett (GHS '94)
Rosemarie DeZelle
May 5, 2006
Thoughts of "Heffo" bring a smile to my face. He was much more than a teacher during his tenure at the Community School in Gilmer. He was a smile for many students and coworkers and his love for life and people will be trully missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jan and family.
Christy Greenville (GHS '90)
May 5, 2006
Heffo as we all called him was a GREAT man. Always quick with a joke and a laugh. As a student of his, we gave him hell, and he gave it right back. Jimmy, Mrs. Heffo... I am sorry for your loss. Coach Heffo will always be one of the great ones in my book.
Karen Hopson
May 5, 2006
There are not enough words to express all of the good things about your husband and father. We have lost a great person, but I know Heaven gained one. My love and prayers are with you during this sad time.
Carole Carrell
May 5, 2006
Coach Heffo is the greatest! He will really be missed. We hold him in the highest regard.
The Carrell Family (Eva, Carmen, Carole
Shirley Moore
May 5, 2006
Jan sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Shirley Moore
(Kirk's Mom)
Vickie Havard
May 5, 2006
So sorry to hear of your loss. Coach Heffo was a great man. He was an inspiration to not only my children (Larry, Darrell & Tonya Maxon) but countless others in Huntington and other schools. All of my children had the opportunity to know and love him. He will be greatly missed.
Kelly (Dunavin) Kelly
May 4, 2006
I had Coach Heffo in (oh my) the late 70's at Castleberry. He was my favorite teacher and have remembered him fondly over the years. He was a great guy! May God comfort his family this time.
Maxie Hays
May 4, 2006
Jimmy,
I was so sorry to read about the passing of your Father in the news paper this morning. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss. You were one of my favorite young coaches at Colleyville Heritage High School and I remember our conversations about your Father coaching and teaching in Gilmer where you went to school. You convinced me that he was a wonderful loving and careing teacher and coach while you were under his guidence at Gilmer High. Good discipline were the words that you used if I remember correctly.
Give my best regards to your sweet wife, Kristina and may God bless you and keep you always.
Maxie Hays
Retired Coach
Colleyville Heritage High School
Anndrea Stamey
May 4, 2006
Heffo meant more to me than words can express. He poured countless hours into my life and has contributed more to my self-confidence over the course of the last 16.5 years than anyone, period. He made me happy to be me.
When I first met Heffo, I couldn't stand him, but the counselor would not let me out of his class. I didn't know how I would make it through my freshman year listening to that man. Now I don't know how I will make it the rest of my life without his continued influence. I thought a year was too long. Now I realize 16.5 was simply not enough.
Among many things, I will miss his hugs and his hearty laugh . . .
Never before or since have I been more happy to be #2. I love you, Heffo, and I love you Jan, Julie and Jimmy. Because Heffo contributed so much to who I am today, I will always feel that you are an extension of me.
Anndrea Jo (Golden Angel #2)
Gilmer Class of 1993
Pete & Carlene Golson
May 3, 2006
Love and many special memories.
Patsy Northcott
May 3, 2006
Jan: Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. We remember Heffo and the years of family, fishing, fun and football. Please give Julie and Jimmy our love. Patsy and Darrel
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