Jerry D. Heflin

Jerry D. Heflin, 74, of Marble Falls, Texas, died Jan. 17, 2013. He was born April 29, 1938, in Girard, Texas, to parents who were both of Native American ancestry. His father, W.T. Heflin, was of Tonkawa ancestry and his mother, Lola Mae (Waldon) Heflin, was Cherokee and Irish.

As a young man, Jerry served three years in the United States Army and received training in California. He was later deployed to Korea, where he served as a pilot for all types of watercraft.

Jerry spent more than 25 years as a law enforcement officer in El Paso, Nolan and Eastland counties, 17 of those years as chief deputy and sheriff of Ward County. He was the only law enforcement officer in history to be chief deputy sheriff of three counties in Texas.

For many years, Jerry had been researching his heritage and started writing stories and poems about Native Americans. He also had been making reproductions of dream catchers, mandellas and medicine wheels. Several years ago, he began making Native American flutes out of cedar, walnut and cherry woods and teaching the ancient history of the flute to school children and other groups.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jody Heflin of Marble Falls; daughter, Valerie Dee Heflin of Austin; grandson, Jerry Dell Heflin of Monahans; granddaughter, Jordon Renee Heflin of Cedar Park; great-grandson, Michael Vernon Heflin of Blanco; and sisters, Sandra Maxwell and Karen Sue Rasco, both of Marble falls. He also is survived by other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Vernon Dell Heflin in 1997; and sister, Ann Clark in 2008.

A memorial service is 2 p.m. Jan. 22 at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373. Brother Max Copeland will officiate.

Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.