 Hearnes lost the general election to John Danforth.Following his tenure as State Treasurer, he held the posts of President of the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri, President of Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri and President of the Division of Higher Education for the Disciples of Christ denomination.After retirement he and his wife moved to Rogers, Arkansas, where he served as interim pastor at several churches in Bella Vista, Arkansas, Harrison, Arkansas and Bentonville, Arkansas.