John Heckethorn

Return to Class of 1951

John Heckethorn03/16/2010
Knoxville — John Henry Heckethorn was born July 12, 1933, in Detroit, Mich., the son of John and Lois Heckethorn. (John and Lois owned and operated the Western Auto Store in Knoxville from 1944 to 1958). He died at home on March 16, 2010, at the age of 76, after a long illness.

John graduated from Knoxville High School in 1951.

He moved to Texas in the mid-’50s where he was in the car business and a traveling salesman.

He moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1960 and opened several ladies’ ready-to-wear
stores, “The Tulip Shops.” He retired from this business in 1993. He was a member
of the Dallas Ski Club for many years, the Who’s Who Club, and the Dallas 200 Club.
John was an avid reader and loved to play roulette and horse races.John Heckethorn

He is survived by his long-time companion, Joyce Mulholland, and his sister, Audrey Pine of Tulsa, Okla., two nieces, and one nephew. His wishes were to donate his remains to the Will Body Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center of Dallas.

A memorial celebration
was held on April 11, 2010, in Mesquite, Texas. Condolences may be sent to the family at 3253 Santiago Dr., Mesquite, TX 75150.