James Lemuel Heard passed from this life to his eternal reward on July 25, 2026. He was born on June 26, 1935, on the historic XIT Ranch near Channing, Texas, to Julius Lafayette and Pearl Maxine Heard.

He attended schools in Amarillo, San Antonio, and Colorado Springs before graduating from Vernon High School in 1953, where he played football and sang in the choir. He excelled in mathematics and initially pursued architecture at Texas Tech University, where he joined Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. His mother's cancer diagnosis interrupted his college education, and after several years helping in the family business in Vernon, he completed a degree in Insurance at North Texas State University in 1964.

While working alongside his father at Heard's Super Service in Vernon, James rekindled a relationship with Mary Ann Chaney. They married on July 31, 1959, at the Houston and Pease Church of Christ in Vernon and began a partnership that would span more than six decades. Their sons, James Dan and Paul David, were born in Vernon in 1960 and 1963. Their third son, John Robert, was born in Denton in 1966.

In 1967, James and Mary Ann moved to El Paso, expecting the stay to be temporary. Instead, El Paso became their home for more than 55 years.

In 1969, James opened the James L. Heard Insurance Agency. For more than 50 years, he served El Paso families as a general agent for life, health, auto, and home insurance, while Mary Ann worked with him and later served as a counselor in UTEP's College of Business Administration. James was passionate about keeping his clients' premiums low and saw himself as their advocate. Over the decades, many of his clients became lifelong friends, with several families entrusting their insurance needs to James across multiple generations.

After living in northeast El Paso and Kern Place, the family settled on the west side near Coronado High School in 1969. They were active at Westside Church of Christ, where James served in the bus ministry, taught Bible classes, and was an elder for 12 years.

James was deeply involved in his sons' activities, serving as PTA president at Putnam Elementary, leading Webelos Scouts, chairing the Troop 9 Committee, and umpiring in the Westside Youth Baseball Association.

He belonged to the West El Paso Rotary Club for more than 50 years, serving as treasurer, program chairman, and president before becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. James and Mary Ann hosted Rotary exchange students from Germany and Japan, and he enjoyed driving his convertible in the annual Rotary Fourth of July Parade with his grandchildren.

Golf was one of James's lifelong passions. He and Mary Ann became members of El Paso Country Club in 1969, and golf soon became a cherished family activity. One of his greatest joys was introducing his grandchildren to the game. Whenever they visited El Paso during the summer, he enrolled them in golf lessons at the country club and spent countless hours encouraging them on the course. He also treasured regular rounds with longtime friends, including Bob Walker, Bill Walker, Harry Stone, Mickey Simpson, Bill Pippin, Jim Edge, Marvin Pitt, Jonathan Rodgers, Tom Fenton, Dr. Bill White, and many others.

A proud Texan throughout his life, James remained deeply connected to Vernon and the people who had known him since childhood. He treasured returning to visit family and friends and especially enjoyed playing in tournaments at Hillcrest Country Club, often partnering with his sons. His love of Texas history led him to research his family's ancestry and document his lineage to a Republic of Texas ancestor. With the help of his family, that work ultimately resulted in his membership in the Sons of the Republic of Texas, a recognition he greatly enjoyed and took pride in sharing with future generations.

James and Mary Ann loved traveling together. They enjoyed numerous golf trips with friends and visited many places throughout the country. Among their favorite memories were a family Caribbean cruise celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and a 1994 cruise to Normandy honoring the memory of Mary Ann's brothers who gave their lives in World War II.

The "short stay" in El Paso lasted more than 55 years. In 2022, James and Mary Ann moved to the Dallas area to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, businessman, elder, and leader who believed success was measured by focusing on others and doing what is right. Whether serving clients, teaching Bible classes, delivering food to families in need, mentoring young people, volunteering with Scouts, or supporting his community through Rotary, he consistently looked for opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Above all, James was consistent, living out his Christian faith from his baptism in 1964 to his last breath. Those who knew him best often remarked that he was the same man in private that he was in public—a man whose commitment to God guided every part of his life. His faith was reflected not only in what he believed, but in how he treated people.

James had a great sense of humor even when suffering with dementia. He made people feel comfortable and valued, building lasting friendships in all his endeavors. He never met a stranger and had a remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He enjoyed great loyalty and trust from his clients and his friends.

Though he achieved success in business and community leadership, his greatest pride was always his family. He delighted in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to be with them. His family knew he would always be there through thick and thin—a source of wisdom, encouragement, unwavering support, and unconditional love.

From his beginnings on the historic XIT Ranch to more than fifty years serving the people of El Paso, James lived a life marked by faith, integrity, hard work, friendship, generosity, and deep love for his family. His example of Christian faith, leadership, genuine kindness, and service to others will continue to influence generations to come, and his legacy will live on in the family, friends, clients, and community he loved so dearly.

James was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Ann Chaney Heard; his parents, Julius Lafayette and Pearl Maxine Heard; and his sister, Patricia Jo Price.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, James Dan (Kelly) Heard of Farmers Branch, Paul David (Pam) Heard of Dallas, and John Robert (Jennifer) Heard of Plano.

He is also survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses: Kendra (Patrick) Drew, Chanea Heard, James Hunter Heard, Krista (David) Smith, Carolyn (Rob) Wyde, Paul David (Elle) Heard Jr., Daniel Heard, Samuel Heard, and Elizabeth Heard.

He is further survived by nine great-grandchildren: Emmitt Drew, Mary Barbara Drew, Kevin Drew, Ruby Drew, Hannah Grace Heard, Emma Catherine Heard, Sonja Smith, Lily Ruth Wyde, and Hallie JoAnn Heard.

He is also survived by his nieces, Janyce, Judy, and Jimmie.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers who blessed James so well: Fran Bennett, Leobardo “Willy” Leon, and Angie Makoni.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Sullivan Funeral Home, 1801 Houston Street, Vernon, Texas. Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Eastview Cemetery, Vernon, Texas. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Wilbarger Street Church of Christ, 2515 W. Wilbarger Street, Vernon, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Westside Church of Christ, 100 Crestmont Drive, El Paso, TX 79912, or the Rotary Club of West El Paso Foundation, PO Box 13164, El Paso, TX 79913.