COL JERRY D. HEARD To TAPS

COL JERRY D. HEARD passed away 6/23/2016.

For those who wish to send cards, you can check out Ann's contact details (you must be logged in to see them).

Obituary

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Glencoe-Hokes Bluff Funeral Home for Jerry D. Heard, Colonel Retired, US Army, 75, Hokes Bluff, who passed away Thursday, June 23, 2016. Dr. Ryan Morris will officiate. Burial will follow at Young's Chapel Cemetery. Glencoe-Hokes Bluff Funeral Home & Cemetery is in charge. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Hollie and Annie Sue Hodnett Heard. 
He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Mary Ann Maddix Heard, Hokes Bluff; son, Jerry D. Heard Jr., Hokes Bluff; daughter, Tracy Heard Brown (Jim), Mableton, Georgia; grandchildren, R.J. and Stella; brother, George Allen Heard (Carol), Reading, Massachusetts; sisters, Brenda Heard Boyd (Jerry), Southside, and Rita Heard Wilson (Bob), Prattville; many special aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Jerry was born in Oneonta and raised in Gadsden, where he attended Disque Junior High and Gadsden High School, class of 1958. He graduated from Jacksonville State University and received his MBA from the University of Alabama. Jerry was always busy even as a young man. He had a paper route, worked for Tro-fe Dairy on a milk delivery truck, was an usher at the Pitman Theater, a life guard at the municipal pool, and worked at the Boys Club. Plus he played sports in school. 
Jerry responded to his nation's call and proudly served for 30 years. He was in the Naval Reserve and later was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army artillery after graduation from JSU. Jerry's 30 years in the US Army was 5 years in artillery and 25 years in finance and accounting. Locations served included: Vietnam, Korea, Germany (three tours over seven years), Washington, D.C., (Pentagon), Fort Knox, Atlanta (two tours), Indianapolis, Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Norfolk, Virginia.
His military schools were, Artillery Basic, Finance Basic, Finance Advance, Armed Forces Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and German Language School. 
Jerry retired in 1992 at the rank of Colonel. His final assignment was as Commandant of the Army Finance School and Chief of the Finance Corps. He received the following military awards: Legion of Merit - 2 awards, Bronze Star - 1 award, Defense Meritorious Service medal - 1 award, Meritorious Service medal - 2 awards, Joint Service Commendation Medal - 1 award, Army Commendation Medal - 3 awards, NCO Professional Development Ribbon - 2 awards, National Defense Service Medal - 2 awards, Vietnam Service Medal - 2 awards, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - 1 award, Army Services Ribbon/Overseas Service Ribbon - 4 awards, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Staff Identification Badge.
Since retiring, Jerry was very active. He worked one year in commercial banking, taught accounting for six years at Gadsden Business College, and served as Chairman of the Zoning Board and Planning Commissions in Hokes Bluff. He was elected to the Hokes Bluff City Council, where he served two terms. He served as Mayor Pro Tem for eight years. He served as President of the Hokes Bluff Lions Club, Military Officers Association Antique Auto Club and as acting chairman of the Gadsden Patriots Association. He was Patriot of the Year in 1994, and was appointed treasurer of Alabama Silver Haired Legislature. Jerry was a member of Hokes Bluff Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, chairman of the finance committee and taught the BYKOTA Men's Sunday school class. Jerry was a board member of the Etowah Baptist Association. 
Pallbearers will be Military Honor Guard with full Military Honors. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the various clubs and organization of which he was a member. 
Flowers will be accepted or give a donation to Hokes Bluff Lions Club. 
Family will receive friends from noon until service time at the funeral home Sunday. 
Jerry was a kind, loving, and very generous man. No matter what you needed, he was the "go to" man. 

Update from Russ Dowden:

All,
I just spoke with Ann Heard.  Services and funeral for Jerry Heard will be held this Sunday, 26 June, at the Glencoe-Hokes Bluff Funeral Chapel, 1900 Piedmont Cutoff, Glencoe, AL 35903.  The Chapel phone number is: 256-492-5550.  Visitation will be at the Chapel from 12:00 - 3:00 PM; funeral will be at 3:00 PM.
Ann told me that Jerry was a passenger in the car and that it is suspected the driver may have experienced some type of a medical event, lost control of the care, drove off the road, and hit a bridge abutment; both the driver and Jerry were killed.
Russ Dowden
 

This chronology of the very sad news received from Russ Dowden:

Robby,
I just got a call five minutes ago from Ann Heard letting me know that this afternoon, on his way home from Montgomery, Alabama, where he was participating in the "Silver Haired Legislature,"  our good friend, Jerry Heard, was killed in an automobile accident. Please post this so all will know... Russ

Terrible news.  Jerry was a RAFINO stalwart and a great officer and gentleman.  He will be sorely missed.
Robby Robson

Tragic news...  Our Finance Corps lost a true hero today.  Sad, sad news... 
Roger Scearce

Correct, Jerry was a prince who served this country well. He will be missed by all. God bless. 
Ray Allred

Devastating News! So Sad!
Dick Rankin

I’ll send out to the Army list I accumulated over time.  Very sad news.  Jerry had a love of life, for others, and for Alabama like none other I knew.  
Kevin Troller

I'm totally shocked and deeply saddened. Jerry Heard was one of my idols. He was a great officer and a wonderful man. My deepest condolences to Ann.
Billy Barker

Oh my goodness...  Not just a great leader and gentleman, but I'm sure one of the best liked Finance Corps officers ever!  When I receive the info re Jerry's obituary, I'll ensure we post a note on the ASMC website!  
Al  Runnels

Gut wrenching to hear such news.  Jerry worked for me in Germany and I knew him in previous assignments.  He was/is a super trooper.  May God rest his soul. 
VR, Bob Gordon

Paula and I send our condolences and prayers to Ann and the rest of Jerry's family. Commandant, rest peacefully and thank you for teaching all of us how best "To Support and Serve"!
Mike Kelly

Sad news. I didn't have the honor of working with Col Heard, but of course knew him by reputation. Karen and I extend our deepest condolences to Ann and the entire Heard family.
Larry Elsom
 

This is the most gut wrenching news I have received in years.  We all know our time is coming but this is way too soon.  If I had to pick five officers who inspired all of us in the Finance Corps over the last 40 years Jerry would be on that list. I don't know of one officer who inspired officer and enlisted alike to serve our country as he did.  My heart goes out to Ann and may we all take a moment to remember what a friend to us all he was.  
Russ DeLaney

A great Officer has left our midst!
John Medley

Your comments are right on target .  He made a difference in the Finance Corps and set one super example for us to follow.
Charles Walker

Sad news indeed. One of the finest professionals I ever had the pleasure of working with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Larry Hanson

Thanks for keeping us updated.  As a young Soldier in the Finance Corps it was examples such as his that instilled in me a love for our Corps.  Sad news indeed, but we must always remember all he gave and what he meant to us.

Hans Kennedy

I agree completely. This is absolutely terrible. He was a terrific person. The last time I spoke with him was about 3 months ago. I met him first in 1987 at FORSCOM. Colonel Heard was a great mentor to me just as you were to me. I am so sorry to hear this and will keep his family in my prayers. My family and I are in London, just arrived yesterday. So sorry to hear this. He was one of the Corps very best.
Gregg Hill
 

Glenna and I are so sorry to hear about Jerry. A super guy and Wonderful friend to many of us. Our prayers are with his family.
Best to all,   Jim Martens  

I read the email, and I said ..."maybe I'm just misreading it, so I read it again, and again .....OMG !!! a Great Man, has gone to higher ground. God bless the Heard family, and let them seek the peace only God can provide.
Lola J Harrison
 

We lost a good friend and a great officer.
Bud Klumph

I was shocked to see the notice of Jerry's death. he was one of the finest men I have ever met.
I will keep he and his family in my prayers.
Jim Blaylock

I just read the web site announcement of Jerry's death and was immediately shocked, sorry for Ann and her family and for RAFINO.  Jerry was a personal friend and loyal workerin RAFINO   He will be missed.  I will keep Ann and her family in my prayers.  J. Claud Wallace