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John ”Jack” McKee Heffner, Jr.
11/19/1909 — 01/28/2006
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Mason City, Iowa
John ”Jack” McKee Heffner, Jr.
John McKee Jack Heffner, Jr. passed away January 28, 2006. He was born November 19, 1909 in Mason City, Iowa to John McKee and Amonde Zahm Heffner. He graduated from high school in Mason City and went on to Iowa State University where he received his B.S. degree in Engineering in 1932.
He spent several years in the home construction business in Iowa and Illinois, and in 1942 he was employed by the du Pont Company in the Engineering Department at the Kankakee Ordinance Works in Kankakee, III. He was transferred by du Pont to the nuclear pilot plant at Oak Ridge, Tennessee for training prior to his transfer to the Hanford plant in 1944. While working at Hanford he held various engineering and construction management positions for du Pont, General Electric, ITT, and Vitro Engineering.
Jack was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and was a Professional Engineer. He was also involved in a number of community activities including the Richland School Board and the Benton County School Board. He was Past President of the Ben-Franklin United Way, Past President of the Richland Kiwanis Club, and Past President of the Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis. He was an active member of Central United Protestant Church since 1946 where he served in many capacities including Board Chairman in 1960 and 1961.
He was an avid fisherman and boater. He and his wife traveled extensively after his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Virginia, a granddaughter, Heather Heffner, and a great grandson, Alex Yonce. He is survived by his three sons and their wives: David and Barbara Heffner of Penn Valley, CA; Philip and Bonnie Heffner of Richland; and John and Melanie Heffner of Beaverton, OR. His grandchildren are Shawn Heffner of San Jose, CA, Julie Lee of Gilroy, CA, Stephanie Adams of Sedona, AZ, Michelle Yonce of Kent, WA, Virginia Harter of West Richland, Steven Heffner of Richland, Christina Heffner of Richland, Michael Heffner of Stayton, OR, Joelle Browning of Sherwood, OR, and Jeremy Heffner of Arvada, CO. He has 6 great grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
He will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.
There will be a graveside service on Saturday, February 4, at 11:00 am at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Tri Cities Chaplaincy-Hospice.
Dear Phil, Dave, John and all of your dear wives and children. Jack will never be forgotton or Virginia. They were both such solid and fine people- somehow I always knew or at least felt like the earth was a much better place because they were on it. Jack brought so much fun and enthusiasm to all of the river activities, fishing, traveling — and yet, in these last years, he had such a quiet, gentle acceptance of the difficulties of growing older. What a man!! I will so miss him – but am glad that he and Virginia are back together again. Phil and Bonnie — you two have done such a great job of helping to usher Jack through these last difficult years. I hope that knowing that, it will offer you some peace. With much love to you all, my other extended family, Betsy
Dear Heffner family, please accept my condolences regarding the loss of your father. Richland has lost a fine citizen. I shall always remember the boat your father spend so much time working on next to the house. Such great times he, the family, and friends spent in activities associated with the Columbia River. I never drive by your old house without remembering those “good old days.”
Sincerely, Craig Buchanan
Dave, Phil, John and Families
Sorry to hear about Jack, but as we as we are learning there is season for everything.
I have been thankful for my relationship with your family as I was growing up as you introduced me to a love for the river and water, and it has been an important part of my life. Your folks were always adventurous and some the few families that had boats on the river way back then. I remember when you came home from the mid west with the ski boat and the fun we had water skiing and keeping it running.
As our parents go to a better life it is amazing how the memories, some happy and some sad, come flooding back to us at the strangest times.
THEY HAD THEIR SEASONS IN THE SUN.
Submitted in Gods love
Jay and Donavie McCue
Dear Heffner Families…
My sincere condolences to the you on the loss of your Dad.
My folks, ‘B’ & Frances Behymer had one of the boatdocks located near the ‘Mullberry’ trees on the river.
May you remember all of the great times with your Dad!
Gary Behymer
Dear Phil, Dave, John and all of your dear wives and children. Jack will never be forgotton or Virginia. They were both such solid and fine people- somehow I always knew or at least felt like the earth was a much better place because they were on it. Jack brought so much fun and enthusiasm to all of the river activities, fishing, traveling — and yet, in these last years, he had such a quiet, gentle acceptance of the difficulties of growing older. What a man!! I will so miss him – but am glad that he and Virginia are back together again. Phil and Bonnie — you two have done such a great job of helping to usher Jack through these last difficult years. I hope that knowing that, it will offer you some peace. With much love to you all, my other extended family, Betsy
Dear Heffner family, please accept my condolences regarding the loss of your father. Richland has lost a fine citizen. I shall always remember the boat your father spend so much time working on next to the house. Such great times he, the family, and friends spent in activities associated with the Columbia River. I never drive by your old house without remembering those “good old days.”
Sincerely, Craig Buchanan
Dave, Phil, John and Families
Sorry to hear about Jack, but as we as we are learning there is season for everything.
I have been thankful for my relationship with your family as I was growing up as you introduced me to a love for the river and water, and it has been an important part of my life. Your folks were always adventurous and some the few families that had boats on the river way back then. I remember when you came home from the mid west with the ski boat and the fun we had water skiing and keeping it running.
As our parents go to a better life it is amazing how the memories, some happy and some sad, come flooding back to us at the strangest times.
THEY HAD THEIR SEASONS IN THE SUN.
Submitted in Gods love
Jay and Donavie McCue
Dear Heffner Families…
My sincere condolences to the you on the loss of your Dad.
My folks, ‘B’ & Frances Behymer had one of the boatdocks located near the ‘Mullberry’ trees on the river.
May you remember all of the great times with your Dad!
Gary Behymer
Phil,
We were so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing.Jill Johnsonour next door neighborin Richland sent us an e mail.What a wonderful picture of him.Know the whole family is in our prayers.Please keep in touch.You all are special to us.God Bless,Nan and Roger
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John ”Jack” McKee Heffner, Jr.