Earl Kieth Hefley, Jr. was born June 3, 1942 in Oklahoma City the son of Earl Kieth and Erna Marie (Baker) Hefley. He completed this life on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at the age of 82.

Earl was raised in Oklahoma City where he graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1960. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Oklahoma City University and a Master's Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Earl Hefley was a veteran music educator, conductor and performing musician. He was a full time lecturer at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he taught the online general education courses, Music Appreciation and World Music. Hefley was saxophone, clarinet and flute soloist for the local folk/rock band, Phil Smith and the Blend Project. He also solos with several other jazz combos as well, including the combos at the Grand House Asian Bistro (Susan Pierce Quartet), Ingrid's German Kitchen (Silver Tops Dance Band) and Jazmo's Bourbon Street Cafe (McKee Brothers Jazz Band). He was a band and orchestra director for 10 years in the Putnam City schools (Hefner Junior High School and Putnam City North High School) in Oklahoma City. Hefley served four years as music director and conductor of the Oklahoma City Community Orchestra. For 15 years, he was the music director of the Jubilee! Community Orchestra in Asheville, North Carolina, a summer community symphony orchestra project he co-founded in 1993.

With more than 40 years of experience as a freelance musician, Earl Hefley felt one of his favorite 'gigs' has been that of saxophone, flute and clarinet soloist with the Howard Hanger Jazz Fantasy. This jazz combo is well known for its arts-in-education work in the public schools. He participated in several recording projects with the Jazz Fantasy, releasing the CD's "Cool Morning Aire," "Elementary Blues," "A Simple Christmas," "Dog Breath and Other Mind Boggling Hits for Kids," "Be Still My Soul" and "All Shall Be Well." He has toured through several countries in the Mediterranean area (Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain) and in the Orient (Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Philippines) with the Jazz Fantasy.

Hefley's woodwind improvisations frequently accompanied Howard Hanger when Howard presented special events for personal and spiritual enrichment sponsored by the United Methodist Church and other organizations. Locations have included Columbia, Birmingham, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Omaha, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Fayetteville, New York City, Asheville, Lake Junaluska, Phoenix, Nashville, Oklahoma City and Salt Lake City. He has also been a co-leader of tour groups visiting ancient sacred ritual sites in Greece, Crete, England and Ireland. (Further information may be found at www.howardhanger.com)

An active freelance musician in the Oklahoma City area, Hefley's music has been heard in a variety of settings, from big bands, jazz combos and show orchestras to the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra. He played in the pit at Lyric Theater (OCU) for over 30 years. He often was hired to play Sooner Scandals at The University of Oklahoma. He has enjoyed playing in bands and orchestras for such touring artists as Glenn Campbell, Wayne Newton, Jack Jones, Lena Horne, Lou Rawls, Jim Nabors, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Mills Brothers, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Richard Harris, Bernadette Peters, Liberace, Arthur Fiedler, Johnny Mathis, Doc Severinsen, Sandi Patti, Arturo Sandoval, Kathy Lee Gifford, Amy Grant, Olivia Newton-John, Manhattan Transfer, Elvis Presley and Rod Stewart.

For 23 years, Earl was the choir director and orchestra conductor at the United Methodist Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City where his family have been longtime members.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Rex Hefley.

Earl is survived by his son, Kent Hefley of Oklahoma City; his brother, Jerry Hefley and his wife, Chris of Macedon, NY; his nieces and nephews, Oren Hefley, Scott Hefley, Jen Hefley and Heidi Druta.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 PM Sunday, December 15th at Vondel Smith Mortuary North, 13125 N. MacArthur Blvd. Viewing will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM Monday, December 16th the funeral service follows at 1:00 PM at Church of the Servant, 14343 N. MacArthur Blvd.

For those who desire, memorials may be made to

UCO foundation

100 N. University Drive.

Box 133

Edmond, Oklahoma 73034

in memo line "in honor of Earl Hefley"

www.centralconnection.org/HEFLEY