John E. Heineike was called home to be with the Lord on November 2, 2024, at his home in Spring, TX at the age of 92. His journey was peaceful and comfortable with his family by his side. John was born in Beech Township of Miller County, Arkansas on February 2, 1932.
He attended North Heights High School in Texarkana. On July 6, 1950, he enlisted in the Air Force and served his country in the Korean War until he earned enough points to return home on September 3, 1951. After returning home from the war, he enrolled in the University of Arkansas from 1955 to 1957, where he studied Agriculture, ran track for the Razorbacks and was a member Alpha Gamma Rho. In 1958, he moved to Houston and took a job as a City Poultry Inspector. He met the love of his life, JoAnn, and they were married on October 24, 1959. They resided in Houston for 42 years and raise their 2 children. Later they moved to Spring, TX, where they made their home for the past 22 years. In 1976, he secured a job with the USDA as a Meat Inspector where he worked for 22 years until he retire in 1998. John loved to hunt and fish along with trailriding. He drove a wagon for Sam Houston Trailride, Texas Cattlemen’s Trailride and the famous Salt Grass Trail Ride. He received 9 Oldest Rider awards from the SGTR including the award in 2024 at the age of 92. He was a volunteer for the HLSR where he served on the Junior Commercial Steer Committee, The Directors Club and the Grand Entry Committee. He loved throwing parties which included but not limited to Halloween Wiener Roast, New Years Eve parties and Crawfish Boils. He was well known in his neighborhood for pulling a decorated wagon through the neighborhood during Christmas, so his neighbors could jump on to ride and sing Christmas Carols. Parties were not all he was known for, he loved to cook; from BBQ, to Sunday Pasta dinner that he cooked with his wife, to the best Chicken and Dumplings ever. His most well-known and sought after item was Beef Jerky. Everyone from fellow trailriders, neighbors, friends and family looked forwards to seeing that brown paper bag in his hand. He never met a stranger and he definitely never ran out of jokes or stories.
Above all, he loved his wife of 64 years with all his heart, his children and grandchildren. He was very proud of his 4 grandchildren and would often let everyone know of their accomplishments. If you were a friend of his, you knew he would go out of his way for you. John is proceeded in death by his parents, Murray and Ora Heineike, his beloved wife, JoAnn, his brother, Ben, and his Godson, Stephen Ellis. He is survived by his daughter, Madonna Carter, and son, Mark Heineike, and wife Corinna. Grandchildren: Katlyn Heineike, Cheyanne Carter and fiancé, Clay Schluens, Lindsey Dorrough and husband, Luke, and Cody Carter and fiancé, Bailey Puckett, along with many more family members including brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and many many friends
A visitation for John will be held Monday, November 18, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A visitation will occur Tuesday, November 19, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, November 19, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A committal service will occur Tuesday, November 19, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038.
