Jim was born in Junction City, Kansas on December 29,1955 to McCoy H. and Jennie Mae Heck.
Jim graduated from Junction City H.S. IN 1974. He was a star athlete in both basketball and football where he was the starting quarterback during his senior year. His high school football coach commented decades later that Jim was the most talented quarterback he had ever coached. A former teammate commented that Jim was the kind of leader that inspired his team mates to elevate their games and insure that Jim was successful in leading the team to victory.
Jim graduated from Kansas State University in 1979 with a degree in Horticulture leading him to continue his studies at Michigan State University where he combined his love of golf and horticulture receiving a degree in Turf Management in 1981.
Jim moved to Portland, Oregon in 1981 where he worked as a groundskeeper at a golf course later moving to Seattle, WA to work as an assistant superintendent at a private golf course. He returned to Portland where he was hired as the lead superintendent for the Rose City Golf Course where he worked for 30 years until his retirement in 2018.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, McCoy H. Heck and his brothers Ronald Dean and Jerald Lee Heck He is survived by his mother, Jennie Mae Heck, of Junction City, KS and sister, Jolene Thomas (Neil) of Gilbert, AZ. He is also survived by four nephews and three nieces.
A Celebration of Life will be held on November 3, 2019 at the McMenamins Kennedy School Hotel at 5736 N E 33rd Ave. in the old gymnasium in Portland, Ore. A reception will be held from 12:30-1:30 with the celebration beginning at 1:45. Please make contributions in Jim’s name to a charity of your choice.
Jim will be remembered for his unwavering positivity, hearty laugh, and belief that those who crossed his path mattered in the world. He was a committed friend and loving brother and son. We will miss him.
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