Donald “Don” Ray Heflin May 31, 1938 ~ December 27, 2023 (age 85)

Funeral services for Don Heflin, 85, of Portales, will be held at 10:00 AM, Tues., Jan. 2, 2024 in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Paul Theobalde officiating, assisted by Rev. Jim Rowlett.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Charles Morris, Robert Morris, Trent Kendrick, Ethan Morris, Davian Lucero and Andy Parks serving as pallbearers.  All of Don’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Quentin Griffin, James Kendrick and Henry Lucero along with the Portales Concrete employees, Dr. Macapenalac and the PRMC Hospice Nurses will serve as honorary pallbearers.  Those desiring to make memorial contributions may send them to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or on their website at St Jude.org or to the charity of your choice.

Donald Ray Heflin was born May 31, 1938 in Portales to the home of Addie Isabel “Belle” (Simpson) and Jerald Babb “J. B.” Heflin and died at his home on the evening of Dec. 27, 2023.  He was a 1957 graduate of Portales High School.  On July 23, 1957, at his grandmother’s home, he was married to Pauline Hamilton.

For many years he worked with his father, J. B. in their contracting business, and was literally the “Right Hand Man” for his dad who had lost his right arm.  Throughout his career, Don built various buildings, but mostly residences throughout New Mexico, as well as parts of Colorado and West Texas.  Don worked for the United States Postal Service from 1987 to 1997 doing handicap accessibility in four states.  In 2007, he and his son-in-law dug the lagoon for Dairy Farmers of America and worked construction there until he retired in 2019.  Don enjoyed his work, but when he was relaxing, he went “stream fishing.”  He also loved to raise mules and horses.  In 1975, he furnished a horse drawn wagon that left Portales and arrived in Valley Forge, PA in 1976 for the Bicentennial Celebration.  Don enjoyed being with his family and grandchildren.

Don is survived by Pauline, his wife of more than 66 years; his three daughters, Paula Heflin, Patti Heflin and her fiancé, Alfonso Gomez and Sheryl McClary and her husband, Kelly all of Portales; seven grandchildren, Gary T. Griffin, Amber Griffin, Quentin Griffin, Charles and Becky Morris, Robert and Amber Morris, Ashley and James Kendrick, Kassey McClary and Henry Lucero; seventeen great grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Tommy Heflin and his wife, Joletha and Danny Heflin and his companion, Donis Bouldin all of Portales; a sister Yvonne Bates and her husband Erv of Brownwood, TX; a sister-in-law, Kay (Mrs. Jerald) Heflin of Abilene, TX; as well as a number of nieces and nephews and aunts, uncles and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Belle and J. B. Heflin, a brother, Jerald Duane Heflin, an aunt and uncle, Pat and Emory Lee, a sister-in-law, Ludell (Mrs. Danny) Heflin, and two nephews, Dr. Jerald Heflin and Danny Jack Heflin and a great granddaughter, Kaela Lee Griffin.

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