Roland Shaefer Heard III

He was born March 26, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the son of our late grandparents Roland Shaefer Heard II and Carolyn White Heard.

Daddy grew up in Moultrie, Georgia, and that was always home to him. Through his childhood in Moultrie, he made lifetime friends that became like family. It was in Moultrie that he began his love for landscaping, starting his career by mowing nearby lawns.

In the ‘70s, Daddy’s family moved to Athens, Georgia, and he completed school at Cedar Shoals High School, graduating in 1975. After high school, he moved to Tifton, Georgia, and attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and studied horticulture. He went to work with South Georgia Sod and Landscaping before migrating to Forest Park, Georgia, to work with Dill’s Nursery selling plants. He found his way back to Athens, Georgia, after meeting the mother of his children, Cathy Couch Heard, and joined Eastville Plantation. Shortly afterwards, he founded Heard’s Landscaping, Inc. in July of 1989 with a Snapper lawn mower and some tools. He was then instrumental in opening Southeastern Growers and Angel Creek Nursery, though he soon decided to come back to his roots and worked to increase the production of Heard’s Landscaping, Inc. He opened his private nursery, Double “C” Nursery; a sod company, Turf South; and a construction company, Shaefer Heard Construction. Daddy ran Heard’s Landscaping, Inc. up until his passing. It is impossible for us to drive around the Athens, Georgia area, and many out-of-state locations, without seeing his work either in landscaping or construction.

Whether it was on the lake or ocean, he loved the water. Deep sea fishing trips, sitting on the beach with family and friends, and trips to Jamaica were a few of his favorite pastimes. He loved good food and only wanted local seafood and soul food. Although he grew up in an Auburn household, he was not a true fan. Regardless, he went to many games with his family because that was important to him.

Daddy was down to earth—he never met a stranger and he never forgot anyone he met, and honestly, nobody forgot him either. His work ethic was one to admire—even through his sickness over the last few years, he never stopped providing for his family.

Daddy loved his family and friends more than anything. He loved for us to pal around with him from job to job—we loved it too because we knew he would stop to buy us a Reese’s Cup and a glass bottle Coke or a Yoo-hoo. He made sure we knew what good work ethic is, always reminding us if we work hard, we can make it through this life. He was not wrong.

He loved taking us on trips both within and outside of the country, to Braves games, camping trips, Jeep rides, and more. Becoming a daddy was one of his proudest moments, and that pride only grew when he became a Paw-Paw to 3 grandsons. Spending time with his grandsons and buying them toy tractors and trucks gave him joy.

Daddy left this world entirely too soon, but he was surrounded by those who loved him when he went home to Jesus.

Those left to cherish his memory are two daughters, Cristin Thurman (Chris) and Callie Heard (Cody); sister, Noey Higgins; brother, Sidney Heard (Laura); grandsons, Avery Hawkins, Trevor Thurman and Vincent Thurman; nieces and nephews, Sally Higgins, Margaret Manis (Tyler), Jami Stocks (William), Chase Heard, Justin Couch, and Amanda Couch; the mother of his children, Cathy Couch Heard; and countless other family members and longtime friends.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Roland Shaefer Heard II and Carolyn White Heard; brother-in-law, Spence Higgins; and former in-laws, Bruce and Vicki Couch.

A Celebration of Shaefer’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Bernstein Funeral Home with Pastor Wayne Butler officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, June 18, 2021, at the funeral home.

Following the graveside service, family and friends will gather for a celebration of life at Akademia Brewing Company located at 150 Crane Drive, Athens, GA 30606.

Active pallbearers include Phil Boetcher, Danny Thompson, Matt Knight, Ben Goodson, Steve Noles, Kellen Boetcher, and Larry Cooper.

Honorary pallbearers include Grandsons Trevor Thurman, Avery Hawkins, and Vincent Thurman, nephew Chase Heard, Jarrod Boetcher, Blake Noles, Justin Couch, and the crew of Heard’s Landscaping, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Georgia 4-H Foundation for the Georgia 4-H Memorial Fund in Memory of Shaefer Heard in support of horticulture programming either via mail, Georgia 4-H Foundation, 303 Hoke Smith Annex, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 or via online contribution at georgia4hfoundation.org.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.