James Edward Hefner 1924-2002 Obituary
James Edward Hefner, 77, of Sharpsburg, Ga., died Thursday, March 28, 2002, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Ga.
Mr. Hefner was born to Clark and Eunice Hefner in Buckhannon in 1924.
After high school, he attended and received his bachelor’s degree in theology from Moody Bible Institute in Illinois and later earned his master’s of divinity from Liberty University in Virginia. When America called him for World War II, he served in the Army in the European-african Middle-eastern Theatre. After deciding to make the military his career, he joined the Air Force when it became a separate division within the Department of Defense and served in the Korean Conflict. Before his retirement in 1965, he was stationed at Chanute AFB, Illinois, as a parachute rigging instructor and obtained the nickname, “Barracuda.” After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Hefner moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and worked as a Florida state surveyor and was also involved with airport security. He moved to the Sharpsburg area 10 years ago to be near his daughter, Terri.
Mr. Hefner was a very active and hard working man. During his life, he was a devoted student of the scripture, continually studying, reading and teaching the Bible. He was a member of Sharpsburg Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, a 32nd Degree Mason, a life member of the American Legion, a member of the Air Force Sergeant’s Association, and an expert in genealogy. But, despite all of his hard work and accomplishments in life, he will be remembered for the simple things: his good nature and generosity toward others, his love for nature, his exuberant personality, never meeting a stranger, and being a “big kid” and a “cut-up” with his family.
He is survived by two daughters, Terri Lopez and husband, Jack, of Sharpsburg, Ga., and Lisa Martin and husband, Lee, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; his stepmother, Mrs. Mildred Hefner of Charlotte, N.C.; two brothers, Calvin E. Hefner of Charlotte, N.C., and Billy Hefner of New York City, N.Y.; one sister, Mrs. Phyllis Vaughn of Phoenix, Ariz.; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and many friends.
Friends were received at Jones Funeral Home Saturday. Funeral services were held at 7 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Bishop John Williams officiating. Interment will be at Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon today at 2 p.m.
James Edward Hefner 1924-2002 Obituary
