SOMIS : Hearon Honored for His Volunteer Work

A former president of Moorpark College has been named volunteer of the year by the California affiliate of the American Heart Assn.

W. Ray Hearon of Somis, chairman of the Ventura County AHA’s development committee since 1980, was given the award in recognition of his 15 years of commitment and service to the organization.

Hearon, 61, became involved with the American Heart Assn. in 1978. Over the years, he has served as fund-raising chairman at both the local and state level.

“I felt like I had done more things than most volunteers, but I was surprised” at the honor, Hearon said.

Hearon served as president of Moorpark College for 15 years, until 1987. His extracurricular work with the AHA was time-consuming, but worthwhile, he said.

“When I first started, I did it because a friend asked me,” Hearon said. “Then I had a heart attack in 1980, so it became personal. I do it because it is important and it will help a lot of people.”