Harold Leslie Hearn, 87, of Bridge City, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 11, surrounded by his loving family after a short illness.
Harold had three great loves—his family, Youth baseball, and music. Nicknamed “Cornbread”, he also could put away his mom “Nezzie” and sister Janice’s Southern cooking. An Air Force veteran and natural storyteller, he had a knack for spinning tales that could make anyone laugh. He had a sharp eye for a strike just inside the box and could play a Hammond B-3 organ that could bring a crowd to its feet. Harold began coaching baseball in 1970, and for more than 50 years, he umpired games across the Golden Triangle. He wasn’t just a fixture on the field—he mentored and trained countless umpires, meticulously scheduling thousands of games each year. Remarkably, just two days before his passing, he had finished scheduling a tournament. Plans are underway honor him at Ford Park with a memorial of some kind. His quick mind for numbers led him to volunteer as a math tutor at various high schools over the years, always eager to help students succeed. A self-taught and deeply talented musician, Harold began playing the organ and piano when he was a young boy. His extensive vinyl collection was a treasure trove of musical history, offering an education in itself. For years, he played in local bands, lighting up dance floors across the region. He performed with The Rhythm Rockers alongside Allen Wayne, The Big Boss Sounds with Bobby Eddings, Excitement Incorporated with Charles Mann & Mr. Clean, and Uncle Remus Band with J.T. Richard and Warren Lee. He played in bands that opened for legends like Percy Sledge, The Platters, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Joe Tex, Redd Foxx, Ted Nugent, Charlie Rich, and G.G. Shinn, among others. Some of the iconic venues where he played included The Cow Bayou Club, Palomino Club, Big Oaks Club, Texas Pelican Club, Circle Club, and Lou Ann’s.
Harold is survived by his two children, Andrea Kay Hearn of Bridge City and Kerry Hearn of Bridge City, both graduates of Little Cypress Mauriceville High School, and their mother, Frances Sanchez of Orange. He is also survived by his sister, Janice Overman of Bridge City, and sister-in-law, Elaine Hearn of Bridge City.
He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Inez Duplissey Hearn; his father, Leslie Hearn; and his brother, Ray Hearn.
Harold is also survived by seven grandchildren – Jared Koons, Justin Koons, Joseph Koons, Jacelyn Koons, Elizabeth Hearn Ballenger, Kristofer Hearn, Bradley Hearn and 12 great-grandchildren – Selah Hearn, Isaac Hearn, Levi Hearn, Lorelei Hearn, Xander Hearn, and Aria Hearn, Alexander Koons, Ainsley Koons, Elliott Brady Koons, Samuel Koons, Stephanie Koons, Sarah Koons, all of whom he cherished.
Visitation will be Friday, March 14, from 5 to 8 p.m.and Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City with Darrell Segura officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.
For those unable to attend in person, funeral services will be live-streamed on Saturday at Claybar Funeral Home’s website (www.claybarfuneralhome.com)
Pallbearers will be fellow umpires Carl Smith, David Smith, Sean Pierson, Paul Starkie, James Ochoa, Adrian Ochoa. Honorary pallbearers will be all the umpires that passed on before him and his nephews Daren Hearn, Kevin Malagarie and Scott Malagarie.
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