Thomas Dickinson Heck
July 12, 1940 – December 31, 2015
A man of courage, a man of strength, a humbled man who knew his Lord Jesus Christ, Thomas Dickinson Heck, 75, of Calvert, was called home on Thursday, December 31, 2015. Mass of the Catholic Burial Rite will be at 11a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Franklin. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hearne where Tom will be laid to rest along side his wife Estella Delphia Wallace. Officiating this Life Tribute Celebration is Reverend Greg McLaughlin, family friend. Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory.
Thomas Heck was born to his parents Mr. and Mrs. William Boyd Heck Jr., in Billings, Montana. Upon gradating high school he enlisted in the Air Force where he honorably served 4 years. Over his career he worked for Exxon, Sun Oil Co., and Texas Municipal Power Agency. In 2014, he retired from Heat Transfer Research, Inc., where he was a Research Technician. Tom was the last generation of a certain kind of man; he was honest man who never met a stranger, one who knew how to fix or build anything, knew how to get everywhere and would draw you a map. He was an excellent listener, deeply religious, laughed easily and loved his family, and loved his dogs, trains, planes and tractors. Tom was a good and noble man whose home in Heaven will certainly not be a fixer-upper. He provided for his family and was always willing to help his friends and those less fortunate. Tom shared his Catholic faith with his family. He was honored to be a friend to many and to share his faith with them as well.
He is preceded in death by his wife Estella Delphia Wallace; his step sons Gene Owens and Mark Manning; his sons in-law Mark Pauc, Bob Chapman, Greg Hillyard, and his parents.
He is survived by his children Chris Heck, Russell Heck, Nancy Hillyard , Sarah Bean and husband Darrell, and step daughter Shawn Manning; his grandchildren, Emily, Oliver, Augustine, Isabel, Helayna, Landon, Tinley, Sean, Victoria, Abigail, Gracie, Cody, Lindsey, Kaitlyn, Maire, Roise; great grandchildren, Avery, Miley, Ryder, Thomas and Arelani and other relatives.
Express condolence at callawayjones.com
The McGuire heart goes out to the family and wish we could be there for God gave us the chance to be in his presence toknow his love to be around his friendship to been bestow his wisdom Mr beck u may be gone but never forgotten
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the Heck family. Tom was one of the first person my husband, Kent Gilcrest, met when he arrived in TX, 1986, to work at TMPA. Tom was one of our dearest friend and later, Delphia, when they met and married. We had many great times with Tom and Delphia. Kent, Tom, and Mike Hyden carpooled to TMPA for many years. Kent and I were very sad when Delphia and attended her Service, as Tom attended Kent’s Service, Jan. 7th. 2013. I was shocked and very sad when I read about the fire that took Tom’s life. I deeply regret that I will be unable to attend the Service on Thursday, but I have a commitment I can not cancel. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of the family at this difficult time.
Peace be with you all, Janice Gilcrest
My husband John and I are deeply sorry for your loss. I know Tom from having worked with him at TMPA for 12+ years (my husband, John also worked with Tom at TMPA also) and at HTRI for 15+years.
Tom was my brother in Christ, a valued and respected co-worker and I called him my friend. Tom was always quick with a smile/chuckle, or an antidote. Many times he lifted my spirits. Tom left his mark here at HTRI with the quality of his work and how he had a positive impact on all of us.