Kendall Heaps, a Brownwood resident remembered for his humor, mechanical skills and commitment to helping others, died November 6, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 62.
Heaps faced a nine-month battle with cancer while maintaining what his family described as his optimism and sense of humor. His obituary said the family took comfort in believing he had been restored and reunited with his mother and beloved dog, Sandy.
A childhood shaped by rural and city life
Born in Odessa on September 22, 1964, to Betty Jane Long and Terry Heaps, Kendall spent some of his happiest childhood years at his aunt Glenis and uncle Chalk’s farm in Star, Texas. He lived there with his mother and sister, Tiffany, and enjoyed fishing, driving his uncle’s Jeep and “snipe” hunting.
After his parents divorced and his mother remarried, Heaps moved to Brownwood while he was in elementary school. He adapted to what he called “city life,” riding his unicycle to and from school and returning home for steak lunches prepared by his mother.
As a teenager, he worked at Carlson’s Automotive, where he expanded his knowledge and developed a lasting love of cars. He had also worked summers for his uncle’s plumbing company in Carrollton, earning the nickname “Punk.” He graduated from high school in 1982 and later earned an associate degree in civil engineering from TSTI in Waco.
Family, work and a lasting school legacy
Heaps began his career in Arlington. He and Toni began a relationship that lasted more than 40 years and married in Blanket on January 4, 1986. Their daughter, Madison, was born in 1998. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in January, shortly before his cancer diagnosis.
Friends and family remembered Heaps as someone who devoted himself to practical acts of service. He helped relatives and friends with home and car repairs, built theatre props with Madison and took on major construction projects.
One of his most significant efforts came after his daughter’s previous school closed. Heaps volunteered to lead construction of a building for Holy Cross Christian Academy. He worked 12-hour days with his crew, then entertained them by riding his unicycle around the campus after others had grown too tired to continue. The academy was described in his obituary as a major part of his lasting legacy.
Survivors and memorial services
Heaps is survived by his wife, Toni; daughter, Madison; sister Tiffany and her husband, Jim; sister-in-law Tracy; niece Banner; nephew Ryan; and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty; father, Terry; mother-in-law Mary Ann Teague; and father-in-law Gayle Teague.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, November 15, at Holy Cross Christian Academy, 1233 Tarver Road, Burleson. Visitation with the family is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, November 14, at Lucas Funeral Home, 518 SW Johnson Avenue, Burleson. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, November 16, at Moro Cemetery in Blanket.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to Holy Cross Christian Academy or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.