Rev. Dr. Jack Derry Heacock

December 2, 1930 - July 9, 2018

Rev. Jack Derry Heacock, born December 2, 1930 in Austin, Texas, to Richard Knowles Heacock, Sr. and Harriet Mae Derry Heacock, the fourth of five sons, died in Bristol, Virginia on July 9, 2018. Jack’s father served Methodist congregations in South Texas, where Jacks’ education along, with his brothers, Dick, Edward and Fred occurred in public schools in Taft, Yoakum, Laredo and Llano. After graduating from Llano High School, Texas A&I College in Kingsville and Perkins School of Theology at SMU in Dallas, Heacock served the United Methodist Churches in Poteet, Falfurrias, Oak Park in Corpus Christi and First United Methodist in Austin. He also served the Southwest Texas Conference as Youth Director, District Superintendent of San Antonio and Corpus Christi, and as Director for Congregational Growth. In the summer of 1956, Jack received a call from Dr. R.F. Curl, District Superintendent for the San Antonio District, Dr. Curl said, “Jack, I want you to go serve the Poteet Methodist Church.” Jack said “OK.” The “Adventure” was on…! Jack’s signature gift of leadership was that of energizing members of churches he served. During Jack’s appointment to Falfurrias Methodist Church from 1962-1966, Jack organized a Citizen Seminar trip with 36 youth and adults to Washington, D.C. and New York City. During the tour of Washington D.C. youth and adults met with Congressional representatives from Texas and had a visit with President Lyndon B. Johnson. On the trip to New York City, Jack arranged a visit with the group to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations, UThant, who shared briefings on Asia and Africa. This trip lead to planning a trip to Europe. So, Jack and Dorothy along with Rev. Jesse Mothersbaugh, created the next “Adventure” with youth and adults from South Texas. During this trip, Jack led the group with an audience before Pope Paul VI, at Gastelgandolfo, Italy, the Pope’s summer residence. The group also visited the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland to learn what they could about their work. While serving the congregation of Oak Park in Corpus Christi, from 1967-1969, Jack organized the Dos Mundos Bi-lingual Preschool in Corpus Christi and along with the Presbyterians helped organize the Coastal Bend Christian Service Association. These ministries provided fresh energy and a sense of mission to the congregation and community. Heacock was pastor of First United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas from 1973-1989, during which time membership, attendance, mission outreach and financial strength grew. Jack had a vision that the congregation would become a “global congregation.” Outreach ministries were extended to Appalachia, Mexico, Africa and across the city, with its Neighbor to Neighbor program. Heacock was part of Austin’s leadership on justice and peace in Central America and was the sole Methodist delegate from the United States to the enthronement of Archibishop Desmond Tutu at the St. George Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa in 1986. That same year Jack was a delegate to the World Methodist Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. He was elected to General Conference 5 times, and served as chair of the committee on Peace & World Order for the global legislative body. The Austin American Statesman named him Pastor of Influence in 1975 and Southwestern University in Georgetown conferred the Honorary Doctor of Divinity also in 1975 After serving nearly 40 years in the Southwest Texas Conference, Jack formed Heacock Associates, INC. as a Church Growth Consultant. Through his One Hour Consultation Model, he consulted with 100 churches in the Southwest Texas Conference, and numerous churches in Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Jacks’ adventures included, Mission Trips, winter and spring ski trips, fishing trips, hiking, camping, wandering, vagabonding in Europe, Blue Bell Ice Cream indulgences, water skiing on Lake Austin, invigorating swims in Barton Springs Pool, tennis, dinners with friends and family, Dirty Al’s Fried Shrimp on South Padre Island (Texas Gulf Shrimp is the best). Beaujo’s Pizza, cheering on the Fighting Texas Aggies, spending one on one time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Jack is survived by: His wife Eleanor Heacock, Bristol, VA., Dorothy Zowarka Butler, Georgetown, TX. Daughter: Shari Heacock Sloane (Bart) Georgetown, TX. Son: William (Bill) Albert Heacock (Donna) Marble Falls, TX. Daughter: Derryan Heacock MaGill (Monty) Georgetown, TX. Tasha Orr, Las Vegas, NV. Shepley Orr, London, England His Grandchildren: Jonathan Woolsey Heacock (Meryl) Denver, CO. Hattie Sloane, Ben Sloane, Jack Sloane, Terra James (Tyler) Blake LynLee Brown (Chris), Sueyeon Audrey Lee (Andrew), Wesley Hunter MaGill, Kathryn Young MaGill, Rocine (Roshy) Orr, Theo Orr. His Great Grandchildren: Logan David Heacock, Hunter Michael Heacock, Sloane JoeLee James, Sterlee Mae James, Stella Jack James. His sister in law Carolyne (Callie) Graham Heacock, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and numerous good friends. Jack was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Richard Knowles Heacock, Sr. (father) and Harriet Mae Derry Heacock (mother), David Bruce Heacock (brother), Rev. Richard Knowles Heacock, Jr. (brother), Rev. Edward Wilson Heacock, Sr. (brother), Fred Macy Heacock (brother), David Bruce Heacock, (son) David Bruce Heacock III (grandson) His mantra was from Jesus: “Be wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove.” His mandate from his mother: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength…and love your neighbor as you love yourself.” His life was enriched by family events, great music, skiing, traveling, reading, growing knockout roses, and engaging in grassroots political activity. He was surprised by Grace at every turn in life, and was willing to be surprised by Grace in the experience of death. Thank you, Jack, for the life you lived to the fullest, with Grace & Grit. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, August 25, 2018 at First United Methodist Church Round Rock, 1004 N. Mays St., Round Rock, TX 78664 Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of the following: United Methodist Committee on Relief www.UMCOR.org General Board of Global Ministries https://www.umcmission.org/give-to-mission/how-to-give/How-to-Give Ride on Center for Kids www.rockride.org For the full obituary and to leave condolences or memories please visit www.akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, (423) 989-4800 is serving the Heacock family.