Thomas Heffernan

Thomas "Tom" Lory Heffernan, 84, of Rockport, Texas was called home to the Lord on November 2, 2019. Tom was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, went to high school in Houston, and graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1958 with a degree in Zoology. Upon graduation, he began working for the Coastal Fisheries Branch of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Rockport, Texas. Upon moving to Rockport, he rented a garage apartment from the Armstrong family, whose oldest child was Clydene. Tom and Clydene were destined for each other and were married a few months after he arrived in Rockport. Tom retired from the TPWD after a 40-year career, where he advanced to the Director of Field Operations for the Coastal Fisheries Branch and during which he was awarded the prestigious Charles H. Lyles Award. This award is the only expression of public appreciation given by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission for contributing to the betterment of the fisheries of the Guild of Mexico through significant biological, industrial, legislative, enforcement, or administrative activities. Tom was an avid outdoorsman and loved being on the water fishing, in the woods hunting, or on the golf course, where he played a round weekly. Tom was a devoted family man and doted on his wife, daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian (Dillaha) Heffernan and brothers Robert Lee Heffernan and John Steven Heffernan.
Tom is survived by his wife of 61 years, Clydene; daughter Kathe and husband Gene Hawkins of College Station; granddaughter Hannah and husband Hart Remschel of College Station; grandson Thomas Hawkins of College Station; great-grandson Henry Remschel; and sister Patricia Kate Kelly of Arkansas.
A memorial service will be held at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Rockport on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.