Darrell Louis Heckt passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 72. "Hec" is a U.S. Marine, served his country in Vietnam, is a husband, father and friend to everyone he met.
He was born on July 20, 1948, to Selma and Alvin Heckt in Luverne, Minnesota. When asked if he ever attended college, he said "after returning from Vietnam, he entered the front door of college and exited the back on the same day." Anyone that knows Hec is accustomed to that kind of response and remembers he had a "one-liner" for anything. You would consider yourself lucky to be in his presence.
After his one-day college experience, he started his family in Iowa and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He then moved his family to Houston, Texas, in 1973 to pursue a successful career. Hec was willing to do whatever it took to support his family from driving a truck, starting Midwestern Construction, working at the Airlines, Harris County, working at Strike with his family, being a handyman and performing every odd job you can think of, in addition to his day job. He was also known for telling a story or two along the way, which will never be forgotten and will be shared for generations to come. He treated everyone he met the same, whether you were wealthy or “didn’t have a pot to piss in,” you were his friend.
However, when it came to his passion, Hec loved to cook and spent his life serving others food every opportunity he had. From opening his house on the weekends and serving the whole neighborhood, to cooking at Strike for clients with Mom, to a catering business, he fed thousands of people all over Houston.
Life threw its challenges at Hec and Mom, as the family survived their house burning down in the ’70s, several floods at 1111 Baffin, raising five kids including several others they considered their own, taking in anyone that needed a helping hand or a place to stay, all while working multiple jobs. You could always count on Hec and Mom. When it was all said and done at 1111 Baffin, they successfully raised five college graduates, have 13 beautiful grandchildren and a close Christian family they are proud of.
If you measure a man’s success by his devoted wife, Hec was a winner. His most cherished person, soul mate, rock that he leaned on every day, was his wife, ("Mom") Audre J. Heckt. She stood by his side through all of the difficulties, and he knew he could not make it without her. He has faith in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ with the help and dedication of our devoted Catholic mom.
His beloved mother, father, and grandson Mathew Butler preceded him in death.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Audre Heckt; sons Jason Heckt, Justin Heckt, Gabriel Heckt, Nathan Heckt and daughter Emily Butler; daughters-in-law Loree Heckt, Kirstin Heckt, Alma Heckt and son-in-law Greg Butler. In addition he is survived by his cherished grandchildren, Zach, Kylie and Courtney Heckt, Jeremy and Jacob Heckt, Major, Sloan, Luke and Briggs Heckt, Finley, Reese and Dylan Butler; his older brother Dale and younger sister Darlene; as well as treasured friends, relatives and hundreds of others whose lives he's touched.
Hec is leaving his earthly life as the ultimate warrior, a man’s man, a once in a generation man.
The Lord brought home one of his heroes, and we will really miss you, Dad!
(1217 V)