Martin MacDaragh Heitzman
Obituary
Martin was born on 3/20/98 in Irving, Texas. He was a delight from the instant that he was born, smiling with big dimples. As an infant, he loved watching Teletubies and The Wiggles. He would jump and spin around in his activity chair, usually with food on his face and always smiling when watching these TV programs. Walking was an adventure, as he loved pushing his toys up and down the hallways at breakneck speed. He never met another child that he didn’t want to play with. He would ask complete strangers “Want to play?”. He had an immediate attraction for dogs, loving Gidget and Floyd who were his pals. His brother named him “Backy Boo” as he could not pronounce Martin. His mother has still referred to him in recent years as “Backy Boo” which made him feel loved. We remodeled many of our houses, and Martin would be the first on the scene in the mornings dressed up as a “Workerman” with his tool belt and equipment to assist.
He attended St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Dallas, where rich friendships developed that exist to this day. He played all sports at St. Thomas, doing well in all endeavors. He attended several schools to complete high school thereafter. He continued to play sports and was surrounded by a great group of friends. By this time, his devilish sense of humor became evident. As in infancy, he continued to have a deep love of dogs, including Auggie (the Beast and Couch Master 360), Rosie (Rose Nation), Otto, Copper, Sasha, Sassy, Effie, Daffie, and BuddyLove, most being rescue dogs. He would get down on his knees, kiss them, and talk to them, and we think they understood him.
Martin loved food and clothing. He also had a very expensive taste, preferring meals at elegant restaurants, though he did not have a penny. He was absent-minded to the nth degree, repeatedly losing clothing and his driver’s license, leaving the doors open or unlocked and misplacing things. His parents became used to his habits, anticipating these small mistakes with a grin (most of the time).
Martin loved going to Angel Fire, New Mexico to shoot his BB gun and drive the golf cart with his brother, friends and family. He also loved the beach and traveling.
Martin made people laugh. He could tell a story, and he had many funny stories to tell regarding his experiences. He was constantly sending funny videos to his family and friends. He was extraordinarily loyal to his friends, had many best friends, and an enormous social network. Martin loved people, and he was loved by many.
Martin briefly attended Texas Tech University, but school was not for him at that time. He held multiple jobs and was to start a new job last week. He was hoping to get a bulldog as a pet soon. He had aspirations of having a family one day, in particular as he adored children.
Martin Heitzman passed away on 11/3/2021 at the age of 23 years. He is survived by his parents, Judie and Daragh and his brother Max, and two dogs (BuddyLove and Daffie). Their grief is profound, missing their “Backy Boo”. There are no words to express the sorrow regarding his passing.
He is survived by a large extended family including his grandmother’s – Frances Jackson and Nuala Heitzman. His deceased grandfathers were Martin Heitzman and John Jackson. He has many uncles and aunts: Jennie Turnage (Gary), Joanie Jackson, Jackie Hawn (Scott), Johnny Jackson (Kelly), Mary Sterling (Scott), and Gael Morkel. He also has many cousins: Brendon Sterling, Kimmie Sterling, Caroline Morkel, Catherine Morkel, Stephen Morkel, Kaki Plass, Brandon Ethridge, Hollie Horne, Haley Jackson, Trent Cameron, and Jackson Cameron. His godfather was Matt Fennell and godmother Jennie Turnage. He has many other aunts and uncles, including his Uncle Don who doted on him.
Martin is at peace now with God, his grandfathers, and our dogs. However, he will always be an important and forever part of his family’s lives. We love you, Martin.
Funeral Services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 6306 Kenwood Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75214 on Monday 11/22/21 at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to ALS Association of Texas alstexas.org or Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS) neals.org
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Martin called me “Auntie Me”(Mary). He had a beautiful smile and loved simple joys. The wind in his hair with the car top down listening to “Soak up the Sun” (Cheryl Crow song)& wanting to hear it again & again. He has a special special place in our hearts. Martin leaves a mark on us all and is terribly missed. God bless his soul. God bless Daragh, Judie & Max.
My condolences to the family. Praying for comfort in this time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Martin and your family.
I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of your son Martin. My heart and prayers go out to Dr. Heitzman and the family. May fond memories of Martin bring you comfort during this hard time.
I wish to express my sincere condolences to the Heitzman family. What a tragic loss. Words cannot express the depth of my sorrow. May God Bless you all.
Martin was one of my very favorite carpool kids – always sweet, funny, and polite. I’m heartbroken to hear of this loss and send deepest condolences to Judy and his family. I know how dearly loved he was by so many.
My God, what a tremendous salute to a tremendous boy from a tremendous family. Life is just damn harder for some than others, especially when you daily carry a bit of genius in your veins that pump to a massive and carrying heart like Martin’s.
Certainly he will be much missed but just as certain he is now at immaculate peace
Sending my condolences to the Heitzman family. Martin was such a kindhearted soul, gone but never forgotten. May he rest in peace. ❤️
We have such fond memories of Martin’s early years in San Benito Way playing with Ty and Chaney as they manipulated into playing what they liked-dress up, fashion show, Barbie’s and anything involving water. They even painted him a few times followed by all 3 getting in the bath together. Such sweet memories. May God provide extraordinary comfort in the days to come as you miss and mourn dear Martin
My heart breaks with yours. Love and peace to you.
So sorry to hear about your son. May your memories be a comfort to you.
Our sincere condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
we have such fond memories of Martin and Max over the past years, and we cannot imagine the grief Daragh and Judie must have over their loss. Martin was such a cheerful and impish young man and he will certainly be missed by all who knew him.
Gary and LuAnn Tunell
What a sweet boy he was! My deepest sympathy, Daragh, Judie and Max
Daragh and Judie,
So very sorry for your loss. It’s hard to comprehend such sadness.
Prayers for you guys.
May God hold you, help you, and see you through. Praying for you all with my deepest
condolences.
Dr. Heitzman and family, I’m so very sorry to hear of the unexpected and heartbreaking loss of your son, Martin. May he rest in peace and rise in glory, and may you find comfort in your cherished memories.
Prayers and sincere condolences to The Heitzman Family. May God comfort you all during this time.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers❤️
I am so very sorry for your loss of this beautiful soul at such a young age. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our deepest condolences to you. Sending our love and prayers for peace.
Martin and I grew up together and I have no memories without him. I used to go to his house in Forest Hills when we were young boys and I remember one day it was raining hard. But with Martin, the rain didn’t matter. It made playing football in his front yard more of an adventure. Then we went inside and we watched The Boy in Striped Pajamas, played Pokemon Ruby Red, and I remember he asked his mom for a dozen Jack ‘N the Box tacos (for us to split, but I got full after two so he ate about 10). While watching the Boy in Striped Pajamas and eating Jack N the Box, I could tell Martin’s kindred spirit couldn’t stand the atrocities of World War 2, how young children could be put through such suffering. To say that Martin had a sense of humor or that he was a pleasant person to be around is a gross understatement. In High School, one of the prettiest girls who was a straight-A student surprised me when she said Martin was the only guy at BL she wanted to marry. I asked why, and she said “because I would spend the rest of my life smiling and laughing, what more could I want than that”. This was the magic of Martin: the memories you made with him in 3 hours were more potent and lasting than any other person could give you in 300 years, a remark I made often in recent years. I took a Theology class with Martin and Mr. Hester, which is easily my favorite semester of schooling ever. Mr. Hester allowed Martin’s wit to shine and encouraged his input. Seeing them intereact brought me joy. During our teenage years, he was the one person that I never felt insecure to be myself around. Martin oozed authenticity, and it was contagious. He wanted his friends to be themsleves and would stop them if they tried to be someone else, as a true friend would. The Bible says that you cannot judge someone and love them at the same time, a verse that Martin embodied effortlessly as he never judged and only loved the real you. I always felt a sense of freedom after each interaction. I want to offer my deepest condolences to the Heitzman family and thank them for bringing Martin into the world. Importantly, I want to assure them that the Spirit of Martin lives in EVERY single person he interacted with, even if it was just once. To God, a day is like 1000 years and a 1000 years is like a day. So too with Martin, a single theology class, sleepover, baseball game, lunch period, or spaghetti night at Lakewood Country Club, had a timeless impact on the soul that was unique to him alone. I count myself among the blessed that I got to spend my entire life with him, and can say with certainty that he lives not only in the heavenly realms, but through the many lives on Earth he touched forever. The Spirit of Martin is that of timelessness and is beyond description. It is the very essense of a such a person that sparks an oceanic feeling of eternity in your soul. The more time goes on since I heard of his passing, the less saying Martin is gone feels true. For I know countless souls that he lives through to this day, especially mine. And I can’t thank Martin and his family enough for that
We lived 2 houses away on San Fernando way and he was like one of my own sons, in many ways! He loved to eat my spicy food. I still can’t imagine that I will not see your smiling face and not hear your always larger than life stories. Judy, I cry with you! I still remember how you tried cooking Sri Lankan Pork Pork curry to satisfy Martins state buds! Martin you will be missed but never forgotten! Our deepest condolences to your family!
Judy, Daragh, and Max,
We are so sorry to hear the news about Martin. We have such fond memories of Maryin playing soccer with Raymond on the Super Heroes team and at Kid Kountry. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Raymond Sanchez Family
I cant say how sorry I am for you Daragh , Judith and Max . My ongoing condolences and only time will heal . I can remember when Martin and Max were born . May God now take care of Martin .