Gerald “Pink” Heckaman, 82, of Hamshire, died Thursday, October 4, 2012, at The Arboretum of Winnie. He was born on September 13, 1929, in Disko, Indiana to Goldie Phend Heckaman and Schuyler Heckaman.
In the 1930’s, Pink and his family moved to Texas to become rice farmers. They returned to Indiana in 1940, where he graduated from high school in Deedsville, Indiana. Immediately after his graduation he boarded a train and returned to Texas to start farming and become a longtime resident of Hamshire. Pink was a local rice farmer for over fifty years and was honored to be named the Pioneer Farmer of the Year by the Texas Rice Festival in 2001. It is only fitting that his last harvest came during the Texas Rice Festival of 2012.
Survivors include his loving wife, Verna Cummins Heckaman of Hamshire; son, Jerry Heckaman and his wife, Joetta; daughter, Cheryl Heckaman Craigen and her husband, Ricky, all of Hamshire; grandchildren, Kevin Heckaman and his wife, Michelle, of Burnet; Heather Heckaman Lotz and her husband, Jim, of Hankamer; Cody Heckaman and his wife, Jessica, of Fannett; Rocky Craigen and his wife, Misty, of Hamshire; and Ashley Craigen all of Hamshire; great-grandchildren, Aaron Heckaman, Andrew Heckaman, Jamus Lotz, Kimbra Lotz, Madison Cockerham, Austin Cockerham, Kheagian Heckaman, Cameron Heckaman, Kaley Clark, Malory Craigen, and Drake Craigen; sister, Mae Melancon and her husband, Joe of Hamshire; and numerous relatives and friends.
A gathering of Mr. Heckaman’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2012, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2012, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Fairview cemetery, Winnie.
