A Memorial service honoring the life of Jerry will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the Wagoner Civic Center.

Jerry Wayne Hefner, 68, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2017, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following a brief illness. He was born July 25, 1949, in Wagoner, Oklahoma, one of five children born to William "Bud" and Ethel (Taff) Hefner, who owned and operated a radiator shop business as well as the Hefner Block Plant in Wagoner.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved partner in life, Sandy Garrett and her son, Chuck and wife Wendy Garrett of Tulsa; one son, Jeff Hefner; a niece, Lainey Hefner; a nephew, Will Hefner; brothers Chris Hefner and Keith Hefner and his wife Bonnie Sue, of Wagoner; sisters Marilyn Hefner of Wagoner, and Marsha Thompson and her husband Dan of Oologah; and his best pal and canine buddy, Huey.
Jerry attended public schools in Wagoner and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church where his father served as the Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He later attended Northeastern Oklahoma University at Tahlequah and Oklahoma State University. Jerry was a member of Masonic Lodge #98, the Wagoner and Coweta Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Club and the National Rifle Association.
Jerry was a man of great energy and purpose. He earned the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and was manager of Hefner Concrete Block in Wagoner. In 1988, at the age of 39, Jerry was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing District 12 in Muskogee and Wagoner counties.
His first year in the House proved a pivotal one, both for the state and for Jerry personally, when the Legislature undertook and eventually passed the most significant education funding bill in Oklahoma history, during the longest special session ever held. It was at that time that he met and began working with Sandy, who was serving as Secretary of Education under Governor Henry Bellmon. In the three decades since, Jerry and Sandy shared a wonderful life together and served as an inspiration to all who have known them.
Jerry held a number of important leadership positions in the Legislature, and will be remembered for his dedication and service to his constituents and his district, and for his strong support of public education, rural economic development, transportation, tourism, hunting and fishing sportsmen's rights, and public safety.
After leaving the Legislature in 2004, Jerry was elected Wagoner County Commissioner, District 2, a position he held until 2008 when he retired due to health issues. During his term as Commissioner, he worked hard to complete the Oklahoma 51 widening project, Wagoner Airport improvements, and flood mitigation projects. In honor of his service, a section of Highway 51 was renamed the Jerry Hefner Highway and the Wagoner airport was renamed the Hefner-Easley Airport, a fitting tribute for Jerry, whose lifelong passion was flying.
Jerry flew his first plane--one built by his father--at the age of fourteen. That initial foray into space was short-lived, however, when a commercial airline pilot forced Jerry down. Not to be deterred, Jerry became an accomplished military pilot, going on to captain Bell HU-1 (Huey) and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters while serving in the Guard. In 2002, he was awarded the National Guard's Charles Dick Medal of Merit for distinguished service.
Jerry had a ready humor, a kind and generous heart, and a depth of patriotism shared only by those who sacrifice and serve. All who love him wish him God speed on his last journey into the Heavens.
"For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Leonardo da Vinci
Jerry had requested cremation, and arrangements are being handled by Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory in Wagoner.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those wishing to honor Jerry may make a donation to the Wagoner Public Schools Foundation.