Kenneth Wayne Heard

Kenneth “Wayne” Heard, 45, also known as SMURF in his drilling rig days, of Loving New Mexico passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025. He was born December 15, 1979, in Las Cruses New Mexico to parents William Charles Heard Jr and Susan Coleman. He was a resident of Eddy County most of his life and an employee of Western Midstream for many years. He was married to his beloved wife Kelly Heard in Carlsbad New Mexico, and together they raised a beautiful family for the next 16 years. As a family they enjoyed many hunting, fishing and camping trips to the river, lakes, and mountains. Wayne was an avid hunter and fisherman and was successful in all activities he put his hands on. He loved trail riding in the mountains on his side-by-side and spending time with his family and friends. One of his favorite things in life was being a “Pops” to his grandchildren Kylynn, Jaxon, Paisley, Ryder, Dutton and Kashlynn.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife Kelly Heard, son’s Robert Heard, Chance Petty and wife Taylor, Preston Petty and Maria, Kobie Jojla and wife Savannah, daughter Gena Vanatta and husband Chris; his cherished grandchildren Kylynn Vanatta, Jaxon Vanatta, Ryder Petty, Dutton Petty, Paisley Morrison and Kashlynn Jojla, brother-in-law JD Sowers, parents Susan Coleman and Vernon ‘Shotgun’ Coleman, Charles William Heard Jr and wife Heidi Heard; brother Billy Heard, sisters Mikki Goldstein and Husband Gary Goldstein, Maria Beck and husband Ryan Mika, mother-in-law, Debbie Watson and husband, Curt, his beloved cousins John Coleman and wife Stephanie, Shane Coleman, Daniel Elmore and wife Danielle, Kevin Dale and Kurtis Dale, and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.

He is proceeded in death by grandfather Paul Dale, grandmother Jane Dale, William C Heard Sr, Grandmother Fayma L Heard, and brother Robert J Heard.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Assembly of God church located at 2107 W Church St on November 14, 2025, at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow.

Honorary pallbearers are Chris Sparks, Jeremy Dowdy, Paul Dowdy, Joe Vasquez, Jesse Richards, Joseph “Cowboy” Vasquez, Josh Hedrick and Paul Woodford.