Obituary of Col. Donald A. Heinz

Donald A. Heinz, age 78, passed away on Tuesday, May 6th, 2014. He was born in 1935 to John W. Heinz Sr. and Linnie Angus Heinz, growing up in Memphis, Tennessee and graduated from Memphis State University in 1958 and from Texas A&M with a Masters Degree in 1973. On September 26, 1960, Don married Merle Jones and became a wonderful father to her two active little boys, David and Eddie. They would have two children Donna and Denis and spend 53 wonderful years together. Don proudly served 30 years in the United States Air Force as a Civil Engineer, retiring in 1988, and attaining the rank of Colonel. All Don's children would follow in his footsteps by graduating from Texas A&M and becoming Air Force Officers. Don built a "Family Air Force", as all served including Merle as a civil servant. During the course of his military career, Don and Merle traveled the world extensively having both Donna and Denis while stationed in Germany. He enjoyed meeting new people, all who met him loved him dearly, and Don and Merle developed many lifelong friendships along the way including a spirited German family, Alfred and Erna Kahrau. The military was Don's life, while it wasn't always easy like the year he spent in Korea away from his young kids, he thoroughly enjoyed the nomadic experience this life provided him. It also brought an abundance of funny and fascinating stories like the time an iguana paid a surprise visit to him in the bathroom while we lived in the Panama Canal. Even though his heart and soul belonged to the military, he went on to have a successful career as a public servant working in the Texas Public School System from 1988 to 1998. Don loved spending time with family, friends, and doting over his grand children. He was so proud of everyone's accomplishments and always made sure everyone knew they were loved, as he knew tomorrow was never promised. He made it a point to tell you how much he loved you each and every time he said goodbye. Don was a very loving father and grandfather and will be forever missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife Merle and his children Eddie Zimmerman and his wife Terry from San Antonio, Texas, Donna Heinz of New Mexico, Denis Heinz and his wife Jodi of Benton, Louisiana; his five grand children Alexandra and Robyn Zimmerman and Ashton, Drake, and Dylan Heinz; and brother John W. Heinz Sr from Memphis, Tennessee. Don was preceded in death by his parents John and Linnie, sister Nancy Carol and step-son David Zimmerman. A graveside service with full military honors and burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a Veterans organization of your choice. You may share memories with the family by visiting our online guestbook for Don at www.boonefh.com.