Jearald Duane Heflin

Jearald Duane Heflin, 74, passed away Friday, February 5, 2016, in Abilene, Texas. Jearald Duane was born in Portales, New Mexico, on June 15, 1941, to Jearald and Belle Heflin. He started school in House, New Mexico and graduated from Portales High School in 1959. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics (minoring in Engineering and Mathematics) from Eastern New Mexico University. He married Kay Bigler on September 11, 1960 in Portales, and they shared almost 56 years of love and adventure. After graduation, Jearald Duane began his career as a field engineer with Schlumberger Well Services in McCamey, Texas, but was later recruited by Dresser Industries. His job took him and his family from McCamey to locations around Texas (Monahans, El Paso, Houston), California (Corona, Ventura), and then Littleton, Colorado. After his children enrolled at Abilene Christian University, he and Kay were transferred to London, England; then Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia; Moscow, Russia; and Lagos, Nigeria. After a 30-year career as an International Business Development Manager, he and his wife retired in Abilene at the end of 1998. As a member of Hillcrest Church of Christ, Jearald Duane was the unofficial on-call handyman for many members in need. He was very talented with his hands and the scale-model of Solomon's Temple that he built for the 5th grade class is still on display at Hillcrest. He worked very hard for someone who had retired, including buying 10 acres east of town to build the dream house he had sketched for 20 years. Jearald Duane was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife, Kay; a daughter, Lisa Juane of Flagstaff, Arizona; a son, Jearald Duane, Jr. and his wife Linda of Stephenville, Texas; 3 brothers and their wives, Don and Pauline, Tom and Joletha, and Dan and Ludell, all of Portales, New Mexico; 1 sister and her husband, Yvonne and Erv Bates of Brownwood, Texas; and two grandchildren, Andrew Jearald and Allison Nicole, who are students at Texas A&M in College Station. He also leaves behind many dear friends and grateful recipients of his kindness. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Andrew and Allison Heflin; nephews, Mark and Wes Herron; and nephews, Tyson, Cade, and Josh Bigler. Honorary pallbearers include all of his nieces and other nephews Visitation with the family will be Friday, February 12, 2016, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 13 at 10:00 AM at the funeral home, with Dr. John Barton officiating. Burial will follow at Buffalo Gap Cemetery. The family would like to thank Dr. Tony Melnyk, Pam, Marsha, and all of the supportive staff at Texas Oncology Center for their care over the last 27 months. Much appreciation also to the Hillcrest family for their special prayers and love during Jearald Duane's battle with multiple myeloma. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible memorial donations may be directed to "Zambia Medical Mission" (with "Sierra Istre" written on the memo line), and mailed to: 610 Bacon Drive, Abilene, Texas, 79601.