Retired Captain James Givens Passes Away

Retired Captain James Givens passed away on Friday. He worked for the Roanoke Fire Department for 42 years, serving most of them at Station 9. The funeral arrangements are as follows: viewing Sunday 2-4pm and 6-8pm; viewing Monday 6-8pm; Funeral Tuesday 2pm all at the Downtown Oakey's. Honor Guard Members are needed. Contact Richard Lipes, Chief Tartaglia, or myself by pager if you can help. Also needed are pallbearers for the funeral, his wife is requesting members who worked with him.

Captain David Heck is Laid to Rest

Captain David Heck was laid to rest today. Firefighters from across the Roanoke Valley were on hand to show their respect for David, his family, and his friends.

I would like to take a minute to thank the Chiefs of Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem for assisting in this event. It is testament to the brotherhood here in the valley. I would like to especially thank the 4 firefighters from the Lynchburg Fire Department who came and played the bagpipes. I was able to hold it together until the pipes played and the bells tolled.

The Honor Guard was exceptional at all of the services. Many thanks to The members of Salem's Honor Guard and Roanoke County's Honor Guard for helping out the City. I hope to see you guys working together more in the future.

Through this unfortunate event, Roanoke's Firefighters have been placed on an emotional roller coaster. Coping with this tragedy has been tough for many of us. I believe that we will be talking about the good times over coffee for some time.

The Heck family is extremely proud of David's Brother and Sister Firefighters. Jana, David's wife, took a minute at the funeral service to speak of all the love and compassion she has witnessed the past several days. She was sure to point out how overwhelmed she was by the support of David's Fire Department Family. It was a heartfelt thank you to all of us who have assisted the family to this point and in the future. She was especially thankful for the assistance of David Bocock and Dennis Duncan who have been great friends with David over the years.

Jana knows that if she needs anything in the future, all she has to do is call.

If you would like to read more about David and see more pictures of the Funeral Services click the picture below.

God Bless the Heck Family

Captain David Heck passed away

Captain David Heck passed away suddenly on Friday, October 5th. Captain Heck was the company officer at Station 7.

Pray for his wife and 3 children.


Update:

The arrangements are as follows:

Captain Heck will be given a Fire Department Funeral at the request of his Family.

His viewing will be from 2-4 and 7-9 on Monday, October 8th at Oakeys East (Bonsack). His funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 9th at 11am at Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church in Vinton. If you have any questions, you may contact me directly at FireFleitz@comcast.net.

We are in need of Honor Guard members for the Funeral.

Obituary: From the Roanoke Times
David Thomas Heck, 41, of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 5, 2007. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter O. and Joyce B. Heck and nephew, Daniel Cromwell. David was a captain in the Roanoke City Fire Department Station #7 and also a member of Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Jana Heck; children, Alexia Diane Heck, Jacob Thomas Heck and Evan Douglas Heck; sisters, Sherry and Lori Heck; brother, Walter O. Heck, Jr. and wife, Debbie Cromwell-Heck, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Nancy Adams; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Danny and Laurie Adams; niece, Michelle Cox; nephew, Brandon Heck and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church with The Rev. Dr. Rob Colwell officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Family will receive friends at Oakey's East Chapel from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, October 8, 2007. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church Honduras Mission. Arrangements by Oakey's East Chapel and Crematory, 540-977-3909.
Published in the Roanoke Times from 10/7/2007 - 10/8/2007.