T. Heard, Jr.

Obituary for T.H. Heard Jr. (Tommy) Mr. T. H. Heard, Jr. "Tommy" 93 1/2, of Miami, Florida, died at 11:06 p.m., Aug. 4th in a Miami hospital. Tommy was born Oct. 15, 1918 in Refugio, Texas to T.H. (Short Tom) Heard and Edna Adkins Heard. Heard began training thoroughbred race horses at the age of 19. His career lasted seven decades. From 1937-2008 he had 9,033 starts, 1,655 wins, he placed in 994 and showed in 965. In 1995 Heard ran "Built for Pleasure" in the Kentucky Derby. When Tommy's death was announced at Calder Race Track in Miami, the response was "They don't make them like that anymore." Heard was the last of a dying breed, the last of the old time horsemen. He will be missed and loved forever. He will also be remembered for his many philanthropic donations through the James J. Colt Foundation. Tommy was survived by his wife, Jane Heard of Miami, Fl.; 3 daughters, Pamela Heard Freeman of Beeville, Vaughan Heard of Miami, Fl. and Dr. Karen Heard Schurmann of Santa Monica, CA.; 1 step-daughter Alina Soto of Miami, Fl. 1 step-brother Bob Rand of Piedmont, CA, 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Trey Heard Little officiating. Those serving as pallbearers are, Mike Hale, Mason Hale, Vince Little, Bill Freeman, Ross Ballard and Luke Little. Interment to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, TX..