Obituary: Velles "Vel" Alvin Heckman

Velles ‘Vel’ Alvin Heckman, age 88, of Gotha, Florida, passed of natural causes on Sept. 24, 2024.

Vel was born July 27, 1936, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Vel was the third-born child of Eugene and Esther Heckman with surviving siblings Edward Heckman and Richard Heckman.

Vel graduated from Allentown High School in 1954; he then went on to The University of Florida, as a member of the football team. Vel earned a degree in education, graduating in 1958.

Vel passed with his wife, Frances Geddings Heckman, by his side. The two were married in 1999. Vel is survived by the mother of his children, Barbara Platt Heckman (married 1959-1993) and their three children: son Mike (Jan) Heckman, son Lee (Amy) Heckman and daughter Rena (Mark) Cross. Vel and Frances shared her children, son Sean (Kathleen) Jensen, daughter Amanda (David) Sprague. Altogether, Vel was loved by 11 grandchildren and seven-great-grandchildren.

During Vel’s years at the University of Florida, he played at the tackle position for the Florida Gators football team. He was selected as a first-team All-American in 1958. Vel was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 10th-round, 119th overall pick. Vel was inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame in 1968. After a short time at the pro football level, Vel worked as a teacher at the Florida Military Academy. He also served in the Army Reserve.

In 1962, Vel became the head football coach and athletic director at Lakeview High School. This is when Vel became known to Winter Garden as “Coach.”

Coaching led Vel into his own specialty advertising business, contracted through R.L. Hammette Promotional Products.

Vel especially loved spending his free time bass fishing and watching Gator football. Vel was a member of the Winter Garden Elks Lodge #2165 for 45 years, where he served as a trustee board member.

A celebration of life is to be announced at a later date.

Memorial donations in memory of Velles Alvin Heckman, in lieu of flowers, may be directed to The FL Elks Harry Anna Trust Fund-Florida Elks Youth Camp. Vel, “Coach,” had a huge impact on many lives and will be deeply missed by all.