James Heckman Obituary

Oct. 4, 1950 - Dec. 15, 2008
The loving soul of James Lee "Rusty" Heckman the IV, born in Ann Arbor, MI 10/4/50, resident of Arizona, California and Hawaii passed from the mortal world into the freedom of etheric space on 12/15/08 at the age of 58. There he is in the loving embrace of his Wife Christy, daughter Lisa, Father James Lee Heckman the III, Mother Margaret Paul Heckman, Crispy (beloved feline), Grandma Rose Paul, Grandfather Samuel Paul, Uncles Oscar, Eddie, Aunt Mary and Aunt Ruth who welcomed him to the presence of His Loving Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. He is survived by his Sisters Paula Rose Schroeder and Suzy Ledbetter, brother Stephen Heckman, his "adopted" Daughter Kanoe Kistle, the many other "nieces and nephews" he adored and cared for along the way, and Dear Friends John and Paula Pe'a. Rusty wishes to thank all those who helped him live his life of astonishing creativity, strength and kindness including all his friends, those of his Mormon Faith, his Doctors, the Staff of Memorial Hospital Rehab, Pikes Peak Cardiology, Woodland Integrative Medicine and the Union Printers Home, Pacific Pulmonary, David Mals of Healing Touch Therapies. He received his BA degree in Art and Anthropology at Arizona State University in 1977 and was working towards his Ph.D. in History. Among his many jobs he worked at Oracle and Northrup Grumman as an IT technical writer. He was to collaborate with Dr. Patricia Thompson writing children's books about space travel, his lifelong love. An internationally renowned artist his drawings and graphics remain as displays of his wonderful hand, emotional depth, intellect and attention to detail. James enriched the lives of all he touched with his strength, will and humor. No tragedy, the death of his wife and baby at the hands of a drunk driver, the death of his childhood friend in an auto accident Rusty survived or the head on auto accident from a negligent driver that disabled and resulted ultimately in his death ever reduced his love or will to survive. His sister "Polly" and her husband Dr. William R. Schroeder, D.O. with whom he spent the last 7 wonderful months of his life after 30 years of separation: "Rest in peace my beautiful brother for you are now with your family once again. You taught me what it means to love and you are forever in my heart."
"Have Spacesuit Will Travel", Wonders to Behold, The stars twinkle at a snap of your toes.