Gary Heffner

Gary R. Heffner, 82 moved to heaven on February 6, 2016 from his home in Waco, Texas. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 11 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Grace Gardens Funeral Home and a memorial service will be on Friday, February 12 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Danny Mulkey of Antioch Community Church officiating.

Gary was born on March 3, 1933 in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Orange County High School California, in 1950. Gary came from a flying family which influenced his love and career in aviation.

Gary retired as a Lt. Colonel from Army Aviation in 1974 after 21 years of service. He graduated from Engineer Officers Candidate School in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Bachelor of Science in Military Science from the University of Omaha and Officers Candidate School in Fort Belvoir Virginia. He served in Vietnam 1963-1964 and 1967-1968. In his second Vietnam tour, he was the first Army officer to command a unit of Sikorsky CH-54 flying crane helicopters, and he wrote the Army's book on how to use these in support of wartime operations. He survived multiple close calls. His last six years of service were spent at the Pentagon. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals w/3 Oak Leaf & "V" device, Master Army Aviator Badge, General Staff Identification Badge, National Defense Service w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, AFEXPM - Vietnam, Air Medal w/19 Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Emblem, (2nd Award), Valorous Unit Award.

After retirement, he was the Chief Marketing Officer for SriLankan Airlines and held positions with other companies in the Middle East and Singapore.

Gary married Susan Wrights in 1992. They have shared many adventures together and have been blessed with fond memories. He had great concern for the state of the world, but beyond that, his love for his children and grandchildren was deep and true. To his great credit, he was a learner right up to his death. Following Jesus, learning from Him and from those who knew Him, Gary’s heart became softer and more loving each day.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Kim Burton and the mother of his children Barbara Hollway Hubbartt of San Angelo, Texas

Survivors include his wife Susan, daughter Sherri Jones and husband Bill of San Angelo, Tx., son Randy Heffner and wife Nancy of Dallas, Tx.; step-son Blake Wrights and wife Julia, and step-daughter Ashley Hale and husband Billy.

Grandchildren include Aaron Jones, Erika Heffner, Levi Heffner, Steven Heffner and wife Abbey, Daniel Heffner, Anna Heffner, and MacKenzie Hale.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Bluebonnet Hospice for providing loving care.

Memorials may be made to Antioch Community Church at 505 N. 20th, Waco, Tx. 76707

Visitation

Memorial Service