Obituary: John L. Heck, November 5, 2011

Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines
Feb 2015
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The Observer/Enterprise, Coke County, Friday, November 11, 2011

John L. Heck, 80, passed away Saturday, November 5,2011, at his home 
in Robert Lee, surrounded by family. Visitation began at 2 pm on Monday, 
November 7, 2011, with the family present from 6 pm to 8 pm at Shaffer 
Funeral Home in Robert Lee. Funeral services were held at 2 pm Tuesday, 
November 8, at Robert Lee Baptist Church with Rev. Ray Aldridge 
officiating, assisted by Rev. Dale Patterson. Interment followed at 
the Robert Lee Cemetery. 

Pallbearers included Scot Millican, Matthew Millican, Randy Murphy, 
Kevin Cassidy, David Strahan, Greg Conner, David McElroy and Clifton 
Wooten. Services were under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home.

John L. was born May 27, 1931, in Houston, and was raised by his 
grandfather, Zack Crow. He grew up in Batson, Texas, and went on to 
serve his country for four years during the Korean Conflict, as a 
member of the United States Navy. Upon his return to Batson, he met 
and married his wife of 44 years, Melba. 

He ranched for several years on his family's ranch, and began working 
for Sun Oil Company. His position with Sun Oil relocated the family to 
Robert Lee, where they raised their two daughters, Sheila Heck Carver 
and Pam Heck Millican. He worked for the company for 30 years, including 
time spent in Silver, Texas, and Hayes, Kansas, before retiring at the 
level of plant superintendent.

Throughout his life, John L. was an avid sports fan and deer hunter, 
and he loved to encourage and support his grandkids in all their 
endeavors. He particularly enjoyed golf, and was a competitor and 
frequent winner in local and area golf tournaments. Upon retirement, 
he ran the Mountain Creek Golf Course and served as the local golf pro, 
teaching and instructing local high school students and thus 
playing an instrumental role in the successful, winning golf tradition 
that Robert Lee still maintains.

Family was very important to John L., and his family expanded when he 
married Chloe Jan Strahan, of Batson, Texas. They were married for 13 
years and resided in Robert Lee. Together they became 
involved in the Immanuel Pentecostal Church of Robert Lee and embarked 
on a spiritual journey that John L. found rewarding.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jewel Crow and Leo Heck, and 
his first wife, Melba Faye Doucette Heck.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; brother Douglas Huckaby; sister 
Jerry Ann Lowrie, of Huffman, Texas; two daughters and their husbands, 
Sheila and Johnny Carver, and Pam and Tim Millican,  
both of Robert Lee; stepson David and wife Lana Strahan, of Batson, 
and Jack Edward Strahan; Toni Strahan, of Fort Collins, Colorado. 
Grandkids include; Scot and Wendi Millican of Eldorado, Texas, 
Kim and Kevin Cassidy of Burleson, Texas, Heather and Greg Conner of 
Odessa, Texas, Krystal and Randy Murphy of Eldorado, Texas and Matthew 
and Katie Millican of San Angelo, Texas; step-grandkids David Strahan Jr. 
of Honey Island, Texas, Randa Moody of Grand Junction, 
Colorado, Ashlee Durham and Adam Strahan of Batson, Texas, 
Brittney Strahan of Deer Park, Texas.
John L. enjoyed and loved dearly his 13 great-grandchildren.

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