Tom and Jean Heck

          Thomas Edward Heck died September 24, 2022, in Norman, Oklahoma at the age of 81 years 2 months 1 day.  Jean Priscilla Heck died September 27, 2022, in Norman, Oklahoma at the age of 77 years 11 months 6 days.   Funeral services for the couple are scheduled for 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 1, 2022, at the Lighthouse Worship Center in Purcell.  Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service.  

          Tom was born July 23, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri to Joseph Edward and Wilmina (Powell) Heck.  He was raised in Rolla, Missouri, graduating in 1959. Tom attended Rankin Training for HVAC from 1959 to 1961, and in 2020 returned as a Golden Graduate Alumni.  Jean was born October 21, 1944, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Harold and Helen (DeHaven) Perry. She was raised in Coffeyville, graduating in 1962.  Jean then attended Coffeyville Community College before transferring to Kansas State University, graduating in 1966 with her Bachelors.  Tom was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on December 30, 1963, and proudly served during Vietnam, being honorably discharged on December 7, 1967.  Tom was previously married for 9 years, then in 1975 married Jean, and have been together for 47 years. Together they raised or as Jean called it “reared” 6 children.  On April 25, 1977, Tom was inducted into the United States Army, and attended Helicopter Flight School.  He was discharged on December 16, 1978.  He transferred into the Army National Guard of Oklahoma, serving until his retirement as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 on October 1, 1990.  In 1984, Tom earned his BA in Science and Aviation from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant.  Tom traveled 35 states and 7 countries during his lifetime. He and Jean loved camping, boating and traveling in the RV.  They were members of the Lighthouse Worship Center and were very active in their church.  After Toms retirement from the Military, he opened Quality RV repair, turning his hobby into a business.  Jean also enjoyed gardening, reading, crafting and art projects.  She could take junk and turn it into a treasure.  Family was important to both of them, and they enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren.  Tom never met a stranger, and “never let a lie get in the way of a good story.”

          Tom and Jean are preceded in death by their parents; their son, Joseph “Joe” Heck, their grandson, Blake Couch; and their great grandsons, Maddox Heck and Preston Heck; and Tom’s brothers, Jim Heck and Robert “Bob” Heck.  Survivors include their children, Theresa “Terry” Heck of Oklahoma City, Michelle Pipes and husband, Andy of Rolla, MO, Ann Cypert and husband, Greg of Purcell, Robert Heck of Norman, Rebekah Couch and husband, Jeremiah of Purcell; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Heck of Purcell; grandchildren, Joseph Heck of Oklahoma City, Halston Heck, Anderson Pipes, Lainie Pipes, all of Rolla, MO, Taylor Cypert of Austin, TX, Tyson Cypert and wife, Monica of Norman, Leanne Heck of Lexington, Michael Heck, Ethan Heck, Dylan Couch, and Courtney Couch, all of Purcell; Jean’s sister, Kay Lamphear and husband, Charles of NE; their nephews, Clayton Heck, Justin Heck of Rolla, MO, Doug Lamphear and wife, Stacy of Lincoln, NE; and their cousin, Marilyn Bohanan of Loveland, CO; and numerous other relatives and friends.