John Anthony Heckenkemper was born June 6, 1933 to William and Gertrude Heckenkemper. He passed away on March 30, 2021.

John graduated from Holy Family High School in Tulsa, OK in 1951. He attended Oklahoma State University and began his teaching career. His dream of teaching at Bishop Kelley High School began when they opened their doors in 1960. During his time at Bishop Kelley, he taught various subjects, most notably math, and coached basketball, boys' and girls' cross country, track, and field with some time as Athletic Director. In the 1960's John was an early proponent of girl's athletics and encouraged the start of it at school. During his cross- country coaching days they won 9 state championships. John was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Bishop Kelley Hall of Fame in 2004. He retired from Bishop Kelley in 1995.

Teaching was a vocation for John and coaching was a passion! He is remembered for his grueling morning workouts, driving kids to practice and hosting many, many team pizza dinners. John felt blessed to have worked along many memorable people and to have had thousands of wonderful students, many of whom are still friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bill Heckenkemper; 2 sons, Timothy and Tony and a daughter, Nan Edwards.

He is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Bettie Jo; daughter, Jill; sons, Chris, Rick (Kim), and Greg (Shelley), 11 grandchildren and 3 great- grandchildren. Also surviving is his sister, Mary Lou LeBoeuf (Ron); brother- in- law David Harrison (Carol); and 15 nieces and nephews.

Rosary will be held Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. and funeral service on Friday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m., both at Christ the King Catholic Church. A livestream of the service is available HERE .


In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in John's honor to the RISE Program at Marquette School 1519 S. Quincy Tulsa, OK 74120, or Tuition Assistance at Bishop Kelley 3905 S. Hudson Avenue Tulsa, OK 74135. Please mark in memo whether RISE or Tuition Assistance.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151