John Heffron Obituary

John Sutherland Heffron died unexpectedly at home with his wife, Susan, by his side on July 1, 2024 after a brief illness. Born on October 12, 1952 in Victoria, TX, and raised in Baton Rouge, LA, John was a proud graduate of Catholic High School and Louisiana State University. He went on to earn Master's degrees in Mathematics from the University of Arkansas and in Ocean Engineering and Ocean Systems Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He enjoyed a career in the U.S. Navy as a submarine shipbuilder, rising to the rank of Captain before his retirement. He served as the Supervisor of Shipbuilding in Groton, CT, where he delivered the USS Louisiana to the fleet; and as the Virginia Class Program Manager during the delivery of the first ship of the class, the USS Virginia. After he retired from the Navy, he worked for Lockheed Martin as the Program Manager for the Littoral Combat Ship program in Marinette, Wisconsin. With an adventurous spirit, he later lived in Adelaide, South Australia and worked on Australia's Future Submarine Program. He fit in well with his Australian colleagues who appreciated his sense of humor. After thirty years with the Navy and eleven years with Lockheed Martin, he easily settled into retirement in Santa Fe, NM. He thrived in retirement and found both a love of hiking and a broad community of friends. He loved going on RV trips with Susan, and in recent years shared that joy with his older grandchildren, Rebecca and David. A dedicated LSU football fan and an avid reader, he could often be found watching the Tigers or reading The Economist in his armchair, sometimes at the same time, with his dogs nearby. John was extremely intelligent, quick-witted, and sarcastic. He was often quiet but enjoyed a lively debate and seemed delighted when someone bested him with logic. He encouraged independence and critical thinking in his daughters. Though he didn't wear his heart on his sleeve, he made a point to tell his daughters that he loved them and was proud of them. He was conscious of the privileges he had in life and valued philanthropy. John leaves behind his loving wife, Susan; two daughters, Sarah Nichomoff (Justin) of London, England, and Victoria Heffron (Steve Price) of New Orleans; two stepsons, Andy Gallagher (Amanda) of Castle Rock, CO and AJ Gallagher of Omaha, NE; five grandchildren; three sisters, Mary T deBrueys (Jim) of Baton Rouge, Margaret Heffron (Kane Mire) of Baton Rouge, and Paula Moran (Danny) of Carencro, LA; an aunt, Clementine White of Gainesville, FL; and twenty nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary T. White Heffron and Norman Clifton Heffron; his brother, Kevin Martin Heffron; Kevin's partner, Dr. Glenn Burgess; his niece, Clementine Moran; and his nephew, James de Brueys. Private celebrations of life will be held in Santa Fe and in Baton Rouge. If you would like to be notified of arrangements or would like to send a message of remembrance or condolences to the family, please email [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John's memory to the Santa Fe Community Foundation, designated for the John S. and Susan M. Heffron Fund. Donations can be made online at https://santafecf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1381.