James M. Hearne "Jim"
Ozona - James M. Hearne "Jim", 84, of Ozona, Texas, passed away on December 8, 2020,after a brief illness.
Born in Laredo Texas in 1936. Jim grew up farming and ranching in Asherton, Texas on the family ranch. After graduating High school from Carrizo Springs, Texas, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Jim was nominated by Joe Kilgore for the first class of the newly organized Air Academy in Colorado. Upon completion of his pilot training Airman Hearne was assigned to Chanute AFB, Illinois. He was later transferred to duty overseas in Okinawa. Jim was grateful to have honorably served his country. After he completed his tour with the USAF he returned to his roots in ranching. Jim hired on with Halliburton, first as a baseball player then as an oilfield hand and truck driver hauling cement. Working and playing baseball for Halliburton was one of the highlights of his life. Jim then joined the United States Border Patrol in 1966 as a member of the 85th session of the Border Patrol Academy in Los Fresno, Texas. He was assigned to Chula Vista, California. He was then assigned to the Ozona, Texas station in 1968, where he remained until his retirement in 1987. He had a distinguished and highly respected career with the Border Patrol. His two sons and numerous others followed in his footsteps and also joined the Border Patrol. After retirement he continued his love and passion for flight. He was hired by Phillip 66 as a pilot to fly pipelines. He greatly enjoyed flying the vast pipelines of the country, logging many hours of flight. He loved being a pilot and meeting lots of new people especially at the Ozona municipal airport. He stopped flying pipelines to seek public office. He was elected Justice of the Peace for Crockett County in 1991. He remained in office until 2012, when he retired. He was proud and honored to have been able to serve the great people of Crockett County. He was extremely proud that the citizens allowed him to be their Justice of the Peace. Jim always enjoyed his many hobbies, flying, welding, hunting, shooting, pitching washers, telling stories and going to the casinos (where he always broke even).
Jim was a lifetime member of the VFW and NRA. A proud supporter of Ozona Lion athletics and academy. All four of his children are graduates of Ozona High School. GO LIONS! Jim was proceeded in death by his wife of 54 years, Mary Jo Hearne. His parents Ace and Elza Lee Hearne, his brothers, Lee Hearne and Samuel Hearne. He is survived by his sisters, Nancy Hatch, Linda Ellinger, and his brother John Hearne. His children James Hearne and wife Gwen, Robert Hearne and wife Barbaree, Jo Anne Hearne and Sandra Hearne. He has five grandchildren and five great-grand children, and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Hospice of San Angelo for their care and compassion. Kerbow Funeral Home, Judge Fred Deaton, Justice of the Peace, Evelyn Kerbow. The family would like to acknowledge and thank Jann Miller, Craig Weinbrenner, Wes Tubbs, and John Adkins for their many years of friendship.
No public service is planned, the family will have a private memorial service in Asherton, Texas.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of San Angelo, or
your favorite charity.
Published by GoSanAngelo from Dec. 10 to Dec. 11, 2020.