Brother James R. Heck III

Bother James R. Heck III transitioned to Omega Chapter on Wednesday December 9, 2020.

He was born May 11,1931 in Lynchburg, VA. He is the son of the late Reverend Rhomie Lloyd Heck, Sr. and Nellie Shelton Heck, He was the youngest of four children.

Brother Heck attended West Virginia State College, where he participated in various organizations, including the West Virginia State A Capella Choir. Jim was also initiated into the Alpha Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated on May 6,1953. Brother Heck earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1955.

After graduation he served as a Commissioned 1st Lieutenant in Field Artillery in the US Army. He later moved to Buffalo where he earned a New York State Real Estate Broker’s License, sold real estate and owned and operated a food store. During this period, Jim became keenly interested in two things that changed the trajectory of his life:

Education of children, and civil rights activism. Jim changed careers and decided to become an educator. He first became an elementary school teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools (BPS), Brother Heck went on to earn a Master of Science Degree in Education from Buffalo State College, and completed some post graduate studies at the University of Buffalo, He believed one should “never, never, underestimate how much a child can learn.”

Jim’s work in education eventually led to him holding several key administrative positions in the school system, including Supervisor of School Community Relations, Director of School Integration and Desegregation, and Director of Minority Business Utilization.

Jim’s work was instrumental in desegregating the BPS; “The Heck Report”, a study of desegregation for BPS, was submitted to the Buffalo Board of Education and the State Commissioner of Education just six months after Jim was promoted to Director.

Over the years, Jim received numerous awards for his work from organizations such as the SCLC, Erie County Chapter, and the Black Educators Association of Western New York. In 2020, Jim received the Community Leadership Award in Education from the National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York, and received a City of Buffalo, County

of Erie, State of New York, Executive Proclamation for the same. He also received a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for this award.

Jim’s interest in civil rights and civic and community activism also led him to serve in multiple organizations in Western New York. He held several leadership roles through the years, including President of the Young Men’s Democratic Club of the Masten and Ellicott Districts in Buffalo, President and Co-Founder of the Civic Betterment League of Buffalo, and Treasurer of the Buffalo Negro Scholarship Foundation. Inc. He was also a Diamond Life Member of the NAACP.

Jim was featured multiple times in Buffalo newspapers most recently the Buffalo News, where he was featured in an article reporting on his remembrance of the historic visit of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. to Buffalo in 1956. Jim remained an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and eventually became a life member, serving as both a member and former President of the Rho Lambda Chapter key 116 seated in Buffalo, NY.

He was also a member of Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church in Buffalo for almost 30 years, where he often served as leader and speaker for Black History Month activities and programs. When the Martin Luther King Memorial was unveiled in Washington DC, Jim was overwhelmed with the thought that America had progressed to the point of honoring a civil rights leader such as brother Dr. King. He became a proud Charter Member of the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, DC soon after it opened.

After retirement, In addition, he continued his involvement in community activism and education, working with others to enhance the education of youth. He especially enjoyed being a member of the Buffalo Retired Teachers Association, and meeting his former colleagues for luncheons and dinners.

Jim was also a huge fan of music. He loved genres ranging from Classical such as Chopin to more contemporary artists such as Keiko Matsui, Michael Buble, Nat “King” Cole, Gerald Albright and Buffalo’s own Grover Washington, Jr. He also had a love for cars, both foreign and domestic, ranging from 1950’s Cadillacs to BMW’s and Mercedes Benzes.

He is survived by his son James R. Heck IV Mu Lambda ‘94, daughter-in-law Kathleen Heck, PhD, grandson James R. Heck V, granddaughter Cherelle Nicole Heck Wells and grandson-in-law Donald Wells, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, fraternity brothers and loyal friends.