William "Ray" Raymond Hearon

William Ray Hearon passed away in Ventura on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, following a series of medical challenges that finally could not be conquered. He celebrated his 82nd birthday on January 8 at his Ventura home where he resided for 15 years. Until recently, he had looked forward to several more wonderful years of life near the sea with his wife Barbara, family, friends, and his Miniature Schnauzer, Charlie.

Hearon was born in 1933 in Pontotoc, Oklahoma, to Lucille and Jesse Ballard Hearon. A long cross-country journey to escape the Dust Bowl brought young Hearon, his parents, brothers, Dean and Joe, and Grandma Nanny to California’s Central Valley where his father worked with local ranchers and his mother worked in the school cafeteria. Grandma Nanny ran their home and made sure Hearon, his brothers and sister, Marjorie, born in California, regularly attended church, no matter the walking distance. The family often lived in government camps and would follow employment opportunities as they arose. Hearon harvested crops in the Central Valley fields throughout his youth while excelling academically and being a competitive athlete in basketball and track. He often said he never realized that his family was poor until his mother took him to purchase his official Letterman sweater in high school and they had to settle for a less costly substitute.

Hearon graduated from Shafter High School in ¬¬¬1950, the only student in his class to receive a scholarship for $50. He studied at UC Berkeley from 1950-1956 and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in History. He later earned his doctorate in Education from UCLA with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration.

Hearon began his professional career as a teacher at McFarland High School in McFarland, north of Bakersfield. He later moved to Shafter High School in Shafter and finally, helped open West High School in Bakersfield. A pivotal point in his career occurred in 1967 when he became a founding member and the dean of students at Moorpark College. His leadership qualities were evident from the beginning and in 1974 he was named president of the college, a position he held until 1989, which earned him the distinction of being the longest serving president in Moorpark College history. Under his leadership, the college established the Exotic Animal Training Program, the first such program in the nation that became known as “America’s Teaching Zoo.” During this time the college also established the Professional Registered Nurses program for Eastern Ventura County, Griffin football stadium and the softball stadium were built, the performing arts building became a reality, and planning was started for a new library. Hearon also founded the Moorpark College Foundation, an organization of community leaders who contributed knowledge and financial support for the development of programs and services that made Moorpark College a star in the California Community College system.

Hearon retired from the Ventura County Community College District in 1991 after serving as Executive Vice Chancellor under Chancellor Derryberry. During his retirement, he continued to pursue his love of world travel and was pleased that he had explored every continent except Antarctica. He was an avid golfer who “shot his age” at 78. Mornings at home found him reading his newspapers and doing the crossword puzzles. He was a voracious reader who made weekly visits to the E.P. Foster Library in Ventura where he happily toiled to discover new books.

Hearon was the last living member of his family, being preceded in death by all three of his siblings. He leaves behind three children from his first marriage: son, Mark (Susan) of Moorpark; daughters, Marie of Bakersfield, and Rhonda (Robert) of Rancho Cucamonga; grandchildren, David (Tammy), Brianna (James), Ryan, Daniel and McKenzie; great grandchildren, Kylee, Henry and Amelia. He also leaves behind stepchildren, from his third wife, Barbara Candace, with whom he shared a brief bit of magic during their nearly five years of marriage. Barbara was with him when he left this world in the early hours of the morning.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, in Ventura, beginning at 2 PM, on Saturday, May 16, 2015.

Memorial Donations in William R. Hearon’s name may be made to the E.P. Foster Library Memorial Book Fund, ¬¬651 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.