LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — John Heflin Jr., an Arkansas businessman and philanthropist, died Oct. 26. He was 61.
Heflin, who died from cancer, was a major donor to Baptist causes, including the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist University at Arkadelphia, where he attended college. In 2004, he was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Professional Fundraisers.
Ray Higgins, the coordinator of CBF of Arkansas, said Heflin was a key leader in the founding, spirit and growth of the Fellowship. Higgins said Heflin's passion and “entrepreneurial genius” helped Baptist Christians follow Jesus, practice religious freedom, and value the local church.”
“Johnny also was a great friend and strategic leader in Arkansas for non-profit organizations because he saw God at work every day in their leadership, sacrifice and good works,” Higgins said.
Along with his dad, Heflin owned a Terminix franchise he sold in 1999 to Memphis-based Terminix International. After that, Heflin and his sons founded Bird & Bear Enterprises, a corporation that specializes in medical equipment, investments and building management.
“Johnny was one of those men that really had the ability to do anything,” said Matt Cook, Heflin's pastor at Second Baptist Church in Little Rock. “He tremendously invested in a huge variety of organizations. He could have taken that time and energy into polishing his own star in the world. But he wasn't really interested in that either. He could have been famous and wasn't really interested in that.”
Heflin worked closely with the YMCA of Little Rock, Baptist Health Medical System, American Heart Association, Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute, Arkansas Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranches, and the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty among others.
“He invested in his church, he invested in his family, and he invested in these [non-profit] organizations,” Cook said. “He was a tremendously generous man. Part of his spirit of generosity was also a spirit of anonymity.”
Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee, said Heflin was a dedicated board member and good friend. Heflin represented the Religious Liberty Council on the Baptist Joint Committee board.
“He encouraged me with his words and advanced religious liberty with his actions,” Walker said. “The courage and grace he showed as he fought his illness has inspired us all. We'll miss Johnny. He was one of a kind.”
Heflin is survived by his wife, Sharon; his son, Jay, and his wife, Andrea; his son, Marc, and his wife, Billie; four grandchildren; his mother, Lynn; his brother, Boo, and his wife, Mary, of Hot Springs Village; his nephew, David; his nieces, Judy Malone and Sherry Heflin, and their children.
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