Jack Allen Heard

Jack Allen Heard passed peacefully into the Kingdom of Heaven on September 4, 2023, following his battle with cancer. Jack was 72. Jack never stopped believing he could win the battle, and he played that game with the same intensity that he lived his life. He did not complain but rather took one day at a time and did all he could do. He was in charge of his attitude, and his faith in God kept him strong. He was surrounded by his loving family who will miss him beyond measure.

Jack was born in Edinburg, TX on July 13, 1951 to Mary and Jack L. Heard. Jack grew up in El Campo, TX as an athlete playing football, basketball, and his favorite, baseball. In 1968, Jack was a member of the State AAA High School Baseball Championship Team earning the First Team All-Tournament selection at second base. Jack graduated from High School in 1970 and attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX on a baseball scholarship. He was a four-year starter at second base and a lead-off hitter. In the summer of 1971, Jack was voted by the Houston Chapter of the Professional Baseball Players Association as the Houston Area Amateur Athlete of the year. In 1974, Jack was selected by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as a First Team All-American. Following his college graduation, Jack married his wife, Carol, on his birthday in July. She always said baseball was Jack’s first love, but if they married on his birthday, he would never forget their anniversary. He never did.

Jack holds two college degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Teaching and a Master’s in Education Administration. For six years, Jack coached varsity baseball, helped open Cypress Creek High School and the Cougar baseball program, and taught social studies and government until he retired from public education. He then went to work for Snap-On Tools, Inc. and was part of their management team for 38 years until he retired in 2019. Jack’s work took him from Houston, to Beeville, San Antonio, San Diego, Atlanta, Dallas, and The Woodlands. He met his best friends through baseball and his work at Snap-On Tools. During Jack’s spare time, he created the San Diego Sting Baseball Club so he could coach his son and other talented players until they reached high school. When Jack returned to The Woodlands, he continued The Sting tradition. He has had the honor of coaching his grandsons and many talented and dedicated players of the game. After coaching The Woodlands Sting, Jack created The Woodlands Scots to coach only those players at the junior high level who had hopes of playing for The Woodlands Highlander Baseball Team. For the past three years, Jack has enjoyed watching his players succeed and reach their goals. Jack was truly a teacher of the game, and those who love the game will miss his presence. The family is grateful for the outpouring of love shown for Jack.

“For when the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name, He writes not if you won or lost, but how you played the game.” Grantland Rice

Jack Allen Heard is survived by his wife Carol Heard of Conroe, his daughter Jacklyn and Jeff Smejkal of The Woodlands, his son Scott and Hailey Heard of The Woodlands, his grandchildren Jack, Joy, and Jenna Smejkal of The Woodlands, Annie, Charlie, Beau, and Holliday Heard of The Woodlands, his mother Mary Heard of Kerrville, his sister Sue Tolbert of Kerrville, his brother Clint and Peggy Heard of Conroe, his brother Allen and Barbara Heard of Metairie, LA, his brother-in-law Billy Childress of Houston, his brother-in-law Norman Bickley of Conroe, and many precious nieces and nephews. Jack Allen Heard is preceded in death by his father Jack Leland Heard of El Campo, his grandson Hank Harrison Heard of The Woodlands, his sister-in-law Katherine Irene Bickley of The Woodlands, and his brother-in-law Gary Lynn Tolbert of Kerrville.

A memorial service for Jack will be held Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384, followed by a reception from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkthewoodlands.com for the Heard family.