James Thomas “JD” Heaney, 60

James Thomas “JD” Heaney, 60, passed away at his home on the JD Rocker Ranch in Rathdrum on June 11, 2013.

Jim, or JD, as he was called by his friends, was born in San Francisco, Calif. on July 24, 1952 to Edward and Hazel (Thomas) Heaney. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Joseph Patrick Heaney.

JD’s love of horses began as a child on his grandfather’s dude ranch near the Russian River in California. He led trail rides, ran a team of four horses for hay rides, was an extra on the TV show “Combat”, and spent many years as a rodeo rider.

He married Deborah Jean Willadsen on January 24, 1992 in Meyers, California. They moved to Rathdrum and built, owned, and ran JD Rocker Ranch, training and breeding quarter horses, giving riding lessons, and opened the Ranch to special needs children. He was a retired pro rodeo cowboy and supported his wife in her barrel racing interest.

JD was very active in the Panhandle Equine Rescue operation, was an avid NASCAR fan, and a member of the Lighthouse Church in Hayden.

JD was a loving husband, friend and neighbor. He showed a Will Rogers cowboy wit with a gleam in his eye and a smile on his face when telling a good joke. He laughed at himself and with his friends but never at them. He was known for his generosity, compassion and willingness to help others. When his neighbors needed help, JD was the first to step forward. He will be greatly missed by those whose lives he has touched.

JD is survived by his wife Deborah; sisters Dolores Daher, Mary Heaney, Therese Heaney Cooper, Rita Bagdon, Karen Heaney, and Barbara Faulkner; brother Edward Joseph Heaney, Jr.; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; his namesake horse JD, and his stallion Steeldust Rock.

To honor JD’s love of flowers, the family requests hanging baskets or patio pots in lieu of funeral flowers. Services will be held June 15 at 2 p.m. at the Lighthouse Church, 650 West Lancaster, Hayden, Idaho, on Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m.