Jimmy Ray "James" Hefner

Jimmy "James" Ray Hefner

Dec.12, 1941

Aug. 20, 2017

Jim passed away unexpectedly on August 20, 2017. Jim was born in Long Beach, CA on December 12, 1941 to Ronald and Betty Hefner. He grew up in Huntington Park, CA. After graduation, he went to work for California Hardware and US Steel. He served in the Army from 1963 to 1966 with an honorable discharge as Tank Commander/Training NCO.

He attended USC until his father passed away and left school to work to care for his mother and younger brother. He began working at 3M in 1966 in the warehouse, sales coordinator, sales coordinator supervisor, order department supervisor, systems/sales coordinator supervisor, customer service rep and customer service manager. He met his future bride, Carol, at 3M. They married in April, 1974 and had one daughter, Lindsey. After 35 years, Jim retired as Customer Service Manager in 2001.

Jim always had a heart for volunteering and helping others. He became a volunteer firefighter in 1978 in La Palma, CA. He started a training program for the other volunteer firefighters and the volunteer firefighters quickly became a fine tuned operation. He was a volunteer fire instructor and volunteer fire captain. He retired from the Orange County Fire Department in 1995 after 17 years of service. Jim also volunteering in the volunteer police program (VIP) in La Palma, CA from 2000 to 2003.

After Lindsey and her husband, Bill, moved to Sparks, Nevada in 2005, there was no stopping Jim and Carol from relocating to be near them. Lindsey and Bill returned to Orange County in 2012 and Jim and Carol remained in Sparks, NV, making frequent trips to visit the family.

Jim loved living in Northern Nevada and felt at home in this beautiful area. Again, following his volunteering heart, Jim was elected to the board of directors and served as vice president of the Homeowners Association in their community for 7 years.

Jim has made countless friends throughout his lifetime. He was an avid USC fan, even travelling with the band. He loved talking to people. He never met a stranger and would do anything to help someone. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol, daughter, Lindsey (Bill) and brother, Jerry (Sandy). Grandchildren: Carson Fowler, Lauren Fowler and Alexis Fowler. Two brothers-in-law: Larry (Susan), and Tom. One niece, Melissa (Andrew) and four nephews, Scott (Hilary), Troy, Chad and Cory.

Because Jim was loved in both areas, there will be a Celebration of Life in Sparks, NV and Brea, CA. Jim will be interned at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 14 Veterans Way, Fernley, NV 89408 on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 1:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life ceremony at Pinocchio's Bar & Grill, 4820 Vista Blvd., Sparks, NV 89436 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The Celebration of Life ceremony in Brea, CA is scheduled for Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Embassy Suites, 900 E. Birch Street, Brea, CA 92821. Please email:

linhef1@aol.com if you'd like to attend any or all of these so a proper head count may be provided.