Carl Lee Heckadon

Carl was born November 29, 1946 in Bad Ischl, Austria to Hildegard and Frank Heckadon. His parents met while Frank was stationed there during WWII. Shortly after WWII, Carl and his mother reunited with his father in the United States. He later had three siblings, 2 brothers, Ron Heckadon, Cameron, MO and Rodney Heckadon, Grandview, MO and one sister, Linda Bramhill, Ozark, MO.

Carl attended St. Catherine's Catholic School, then Ruskin High School, and received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology at UMKC.

Carl served in the US Army in Vietnam during the Vietnam War from June 1968 to January 1971. He assisted Orthopedic doctors treating the wounded. He was awarded The Certificate of Achievement for displaying singular perseverance, fidelity and professional competence while rendering meritorious service in support of the US military in the Republic of Vietnam.

Carl met Judy in May 1974 on a double date with friends. In less than a month he proposed to her. They later married on October 5th, 1974 at St. Catherine’s Church.

They have two daughters, Jennifer Lynn and Lisa Marie as well as two grandsons and two granddaughters. Family meant everything to Carl. He loved holiday get togethers. He loved visiting with his siblings and cousins over the phone. He looked forward every August to attending the family reunion in Rich Hill, MO.

When they got married Carl worked at Consolidated Freightways Truck line. Shortly after Carl started his Civil Service career with the Federal Government, having worked for Social Security Administration, then Resolution Trust Corporation, and retiring in 2005 from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Carl liked short trips, primarily going to Branson, MO, visiting friends and visiting Silver Dollar City, taking in some good country music shows, shopping and just strolling along the Riverwalk at Branson Landing. He also enjoyed trips with his family to Nashville, Memphis, Orlando, Council Bluffs, Charleston, MS and the Western Caribbean for their 40th Wedding Anniversary. His daughter Lisa also talked her dad and her mother into going to concerts with her to numerous cities. He loved music.

Carl missed the normal life this past year, as many of you have too, due to covid restrictions or just to be careful so not to get covid. Having known family who got covid and two people who succumbed to it, he worried about others in his family so they would not get it. Due to covid in the community, he missed not going to church on Sundays, he missed not going to the community pool this past summer as he loved the lazy river floating on an inner tube and just soaking up the sun, he missed not going into dine-in at his favorite restaurants, he missed trips to Branson and visiting relatives, and so much more. We were so glad to let him know that his family had received the vaccines so he would no longer worry.

Carl was a very kind and generous person. He would always stop at a Salvation Army collection to donate, he took food to the donation center, he donated at church, and he donated to a person in need standing at a corner or shopping center. If he missed someone asking for help, his wife said she has seen him turn around and go back by so he could donate to the person in need. He always wanted to help others.

Carl wanted the best for his daughters and their families. He loved them and was very much loved by them.