John W Heide

After a courageous 17-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, LTC John W. Heide completed his final flight on June 2, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Ann Heide and his daughters, Krista M. Heide of Houston, TX and Kala M. Heide of Austin, TX; brother Peter J. Heide of Olympia, WA; sister-in-law Margaret Heide of Tucson, AZ; sister and brother-in law Brian and Letha Peters of Buda, TX. He is preceded in death by parents John J. Heide and Marguerite A. Heide and in-laws Col. Melvin L. McCoy and Elizabeth J. McCoy.

Born in 1940 in Austin, Minnesota, John went by many names…son, brother, husband, dad/daddy; brother-in-law, uncle, friend, commander, teacher, recce pilot, “Snoopy”, “Papa Bear”. He was our rock and our very own superhero. He attended the United States Air Force Academy where he was a member of the Fighting’ Fourth. He served his country for 28 years, serving in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. As an instructor pilot he helped train some of the finest men and women in the USAF. In 1963, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann McCoy, thus beginning the journey of a lifetime that spanned many states and three continents.

After retiring from the military in 1991, he entered in to a second career as an elementary school teacher at Edgar Park Elementary in El Paso, TX. He inspired his students for 11 years before retiring for a second time in 2005.

He taught us to live life to the fullest. He taught us always do what is right, even if it was not popular. He took us on worldly adventures and asked us to embrace them with wonder. He gave us the music of the 60’s and we celebrated his love of the USAFA, the World Champion Boston Red, the Dallas Cowboys and NASCAR. A piece of him lives on in each of us and we will miss him dearly! He now touches the face of God.

Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the wonderful caregivers at Good Samaritan White Acres Memory Care Unit, the staff of the Veterans Administration Homebound Program and Kindred Hospice.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the El Paso Food Bank, the El Paso Rescue Mission or the Humane Society.