John Jacob Heck

John Jacob Heck joined his Father in Heaven on Saturday, January 12, 2013. He was born on April 4, 1939 to James Hayes and Martha Leona (Roszell) Heck, in Twin Falls, Idaho. He was the youngest of seven children, having five brothers and one sister. John grew up in the Twin Falls area, attending school in Hollister, Twin Falls, and Richfield. One of his first jobs was as a busboy at the old Rogerson Hotel. There, as he liked to tell his children, he met many famous movie stars, including Gene Autry and Jimmy Stewart, and earned very good tips. After serving in the US Army, he returned to Twin Falls and married the love of his life, Cloreen Ann Schendel, on April 30th, 1960. After apprenticing with his father, he became a busy and successful masonry contractor, laying brick, block, and stone on hundreds of Magic Valley homes, churches, and businesses in the 60's, 70's, and 80's. John became unexpectedly ill in 1984 and was forced to retire from the masonry business in 1985. He became his sons' biggest fan, always at practices and games, and volunteering countless hours with the Twin Falls Bruin Boosters. John enjoyed the outdoors, spending many years fishing for salmon on the Salmon and Columbia Rivers, trout fishing at Magic and Salmon Falls reservoirs, and stream fishing along the Big Wood River. He liked hunting sage grouse, pheasants, and deer, and camping, fishing and hiking all over south central Idaho. He also loved deep sea fishing and crabbing along the Oregon Coast. He was an avid and adept card player, enjoying pinochle right up until the day he was hospitalized. John loved to travel, often visiting relatives and places in Washington, Arizona, Texas, Las Vegas, and along the Oregon coast. He loved to travel with friends and family and took great delight in sharing his time and adventures with them. He is preceded in death by all five brothers, James, Rickey, Lester, Lawrence, and Ralph, and by both parents. He was greeted by the brother of his heart, Buddy L. DeWeese. He is survived by Cloreen, his wife of nearly 53 years, sons, Johnny, Alan, and Joey, daughter-in-law Brandie, and grandchildren Autumn, Tavia, Liane, and Brian. He is also survived by his sister Mary (LaRae) Brown of Richfield, sisters-in-law Janet (Lawrence), June (Ralph), Marlene (Buddy) DeWeese, Barbara (Jim) Kelly, Doris (Harvey) Hendrix, Lillian Clayton, all of the Magic Valley, and Donna (Richard) Meyer and Deloris (Raymond) Meyer of Kennewick, Washington. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews. A memorial service is planned for 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 19th, at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Rd., Twin Falls. Those who wish may share memorials and condolences at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com