Tribute & Message From The Family
Charles Andrew Heekin of Port Charlotte, Florida died March 26, 2015 at age 28. He was born and raised in Charlotte County and graduated from Port Charlotte High School in 2005.
As a young man he was an avid hunter and woodsman, a Life Scout and Brotherhood Member of the Order of the Arrow. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was a sniper in Recon Platoon 1-2 Stryker Cav Regiment during the heaviest fighting in Sadr City, Iraq. Later he served in I-41 Infantry in Logar Province, Afghanistan where he was severely wounded in 2011. The wounds would later lead to his death. He received the Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge and Purple Heart, among numerous other awards.
He is survived by his mother, father, two brothers, a sister, sixteen aunts and uncles and scores of cousins, as well as hundreds of brothers in arms with whom he served. Their stories of his courage, determination, compassion, devotion to duty and faith are too numerous to record here. He was given a military funeral at which the Rev. William A. Bales of the Sonshine Baptist Church of Port Charlotte officiated.
There will be a memorial service in celebration of his life, by invitation, at a later date. Information may be obtained by e-mail at: jcheekin@jcheekin.com In lieu of flowers contributions should be made to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.com or to the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Nursing Home, c/o Doug Jacobson Residents Fund, Inc., 21281 Grayton Terrace, Port Charlotte, FL 33954 www.douglastjacobsonveteranshome.com
He was a son any parent would be proud to have. We will miss him.
Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to sign the memory book and extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel.
Condolence & Memory Journal
Our hearts are with you. May you find comfort from the Lord Jesus that all is well.
Posted by
Don and Sheri Riggs - Port Charlotte, FL - Friend March 28, 2017
RIP Charles, thank you for the ultimate sacrifice.
Posted by
Tara August 08, 2015
Thank you Charles for your service and the ultimate sacrifice! May you rest in peace and your family comforted by the fact that your service is appreciated beyond the expression of words. May Charles remain in your hearts until you meet again.
Posted by
The Roguska Famiy - Port Charlotte, FL May 13, 2015
Charles was an American patriot. He was a brave young man. He strived to make his father proud, and he did. He will be missed.
Posted by
Carol Stevens - FL - Friend May 02, 2015
I went to middle and high school with Charles. He was such a nice kid and so dedicated to protecting our country. It's so surreal that he is no longer with us. My deepest sympathy to his family. May he rest in peace.
Posted by
tristan - tallahassee, FL - classmate April 19, 2015
may god hold you in his arms thank you for serving our country god bless you
Posted by
kathy corrigan and family - north port, FL - friend April 15, 2015
Our deepest sympathies to the family. May you always have the peace in your hearts, knowing that he is now with the Lord.
Posted by
Gene and Laura Evensen - Port Charlotte, FL - friends April 13, 2015
May God be with you and your family im sorry for your loss.
Posted by
SSG Zimmerman, D - Lawton, OK - Brother in Arms April 11, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for his service and know he is a Hero
Posted by
Donna Scarborough LCSW - Ft Wainwright, AK - Someone sorry for your loss April 11, 2015
I liked Charlie from the first time I met Him. My step daughter had such a serious crush on him. When he went to "boot camp" and then on to Fort Lewis there were some tough times. I always told her Charlie is doing what he believes in and needs to do. He was a good kid and a good friend to my daughter Sara.
We all need to think about the sacrifices made to preserve freedom, and, to the heroes that make it possible to have the voices and freedom we take for granted every day.
God Bless you Charlie!
You have made me proud to know that I knew you, and persevered through some difficult times. Now that you are with the Lord God we can all rest knowing what a fine young man, and a great patriot to have become.
THANK YOU.
Lou Ordini III
Posted by
Lou Ordini - Port Charlotte, FL - Step Father of former girlfriend April 11, 2015
I was reading the newspaper and saw your son's notice. Thank you for raising such a excellent son, I am sure that your hearts are broken and you miss him very much. I wanted to also thank you for his service to his country as it touches all of us as freedom isn't free ,"greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
John 15:13.
Posted by
Kathryn April 10, 2015
Sorry for your loss. Thanks to him we continue to live free.
Posted by
casey - Venice, FL - grateful citizen for military April 10, 2015
Heekin was an outstanding Soldier and extremely motivated about whatever he did. Very sad to hear about the news.
Rest easy and we will see you on the other side.
Posted by
Darren leslie - Hagerstown, MD - Brother in Arms April 09, 2015
Many tears are being shed for this brave patriot. Our hearts are so heavy with grief. Praying for you every day. Our sincerest condolences.
Posted by
Barbara Q. Harrington and family - Port Charlotte, FL - friend of the Heekin family April 09, 2015
I would like to share my most favorite memory of Charlie Heekin for the friends and family that hadn't seen it on Facebook.
Believe it or not, HE was literally the best birthday present ever.
So it was 2010 I believe, and at this time I left the active duty Army a year prior. We kept in touch, but like most people when you leave the brotherhood of the Army, you don't see any of your old brothers.
At that time, I was a civilian and living in Florida. I think he was home on leave to Florida at the time. Well, unbeknownst to me, my wife secretly got in contact with him and arranged for him to come over to our place for dinner for my birthday and surprise me. Mind you, I lived a couple hours away from him. But why would that stop Charlie right?
So I get a knock on my door that night and sure as hell it's Charlie Heekin in the flesh. And for those of you that have reunited with old brothers in arms you know the feeling. A nice long man hug was had, along with some Jameson. It was priceless.
Best birthday present ever and won't be forgotten. Brothers forever.
Posted by
Scott Stahley - Fort Polk, LA - Best friend & brother in arm's April 09, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time of sorrow. It is tough to understand God's plans at a time like this, but be assured he is with you all during this time. Judy, let me know whatever you need. God Bless
Posted by
Tonya Peters - Port Charlotte, FL - co-worker/friend of mother April 09, 2015
Charles will be greatly missed, he is a hero !
Posted by
Dale Hardy - Port Charlotte, FL - Youth Pastor April 09, 2015
Charlie, we love you and you will be missed. Hold the high ground brother, until we meet on the other side of the Objective.
Posted by
Chris Adkins - Houston, TX - Brother (In Arms) April 09, 2015
So sorry about the tragic passing of your son. He will always be an American Hero. Special place in Heaven for such a brave young man. Prayers and special blessing to your family.
God Bless
Henyecz Family
Posted by
Louis Rene Ryan and Brianna Henyecz - Port charlotte, FL - Ryan's clssmate April 09, 2015
Blessings for Charles as he is with
God's angels and not in pain.
God Love you and bless you as you go through this horrific loss. My prayers go out to his whole family.
I'm a vets widow myself, know it's a hard process to go through. Also a Wounded Warrior Project supporter. So from all the others, Prayers coming your way.
Posted by
JoAn Ordway Lamrouex - Clarksville, TN April 09, 2015
R.I.P. Brother, we were all so fortunate to of had you in our lives. You will be missed.
Posted by
Joshua Tindall - Port Charlotte, FL - Friend April 09, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss. I know I was very fortunate to have shared great memories with Charlie. He was a great guy and will be missed.
Posted by
Sami - St. Louis, MO April 09, 2015
Brother REST IN PEACE. You well be missed thanks for everything you have done. God bless you and your family.The world lost one great person, friend and brother.
Posted by
Stacy Begay - El Paso, TX - friend and brother in arms April 09, 2015
Your family is in my prayers.
Posted by
Sara Taylor - Chicago, IL - Friend April 09, 2015
Judy,
I send my sincerest sympathies to you. We are never prepared to lose a child. As a mother, my heart aches with yours. May you find peace in knowing he is in a better place where there is no pain or sadness or suffering. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Posted by
Kim Smith - Port Charlotte, FL - friend/neighbor April 09, 2015
May your son now rest in peace with our Heavenly Father! Many thanks to Charles for serving our Country! May God's presence give you peace and comfort during this difficult time!
Posted by
DAN SNELLING - PORTLAND, OR April 09, 2015
May you find comfort for your hearts. Rest in peace buddy.
Posted by
Tarcilla - FL - high school friend April 09, 2015
May your son rest in peace , we are all blessed to have our sons and daughters standing strong for our country,God bless you all
Posted by
mark starkey - North port, FL - friend of father April 09, 2015
I am so sorry for your lost.what a great man.
Posted by
carol - MA - no relation. April 09, 2015
True American heri RIP andy
Posted by
joseph grizzaffi - port charlotte, FL - friend April 08, 2015
We are so saddened by this news. We pray that God will help you all find the peace that only he can provide during these times. May God bless you all.
Posted by
Don and Sheri Riggs April 08, 2015
Thank you Charles for your service. Thank you to your family who also sacrificed for our country. May you rest in peace!!!!
Posted by
Donna Hensley Roguska - Port Charlotte, FL April 08, 2015
Gods Speed
Posted by
Adam C - AZ April 08, 2015
