James H. “Red” Heath
A service for longtime Lamar resident and educator, James H. “Red” Heath was held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 10, 2009 at the Lamar Community College Wellness Center with Pastor Mark Viar of the Lamar Redeeming Love Church officiating. Interment followed at Fairmount Cemetery lead by Red's horse.
Visitation for Red was held from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Friday, January 9, 2009 at the Peacock Funeral Home. The casket was also opened at the Wellness Center from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon Saturday and not opened following the services.
Red was born on March 25, 1927 at Tokyo, Texas to H.D. Heath, Jr. and Dovie Jane Brock and passed away on January 6, 2009 at the age of 81 at his home in Lamar with his family by his side.
He is preceded in death by his son Timmy D. Heath and his first wife Millicent Heath.
Red is survived by his wife Nelva Heath of the family home. His children; Tanya Sue (Fred) Drew, Jr. of Plainview, Texas, Cy Shawn (Melinda) Heath of McKinney, TX, Dana Hill of Highlands Ranch, CO, Donna (Craig) Sokol of Alexandria, Virginia. Grandchildren; Timothy, David, Audrey Marie and Jeremiah Drew; Abby and Tyler Heath and Kayla Hill. He is also survived by his sister Ovella Owen of Phoenix, AZ and her family as well as Millicent’s family; mother-in-law, Bessie Robbins of Walsh, CO, brother-in-law, Dr. Richard (Cheri) Robbins and family of Walsh, CO, sisters-in-law, Norma Picha and family of Lamar and Robin (Gary) Alcorn and family of Littleton, CO. Many friends, fellow educators and former students also survive.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the LCC Red Heath Scholarship Fund, Redeeming Love Church or to the Lamar Area Hospice either direct or in care of the Peacock Funeral Home.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Peacock Family.
Online Condolences |
Dear Red Heath Family-I just recently heard of Red's passing and want you to know he will be missed. As a freshman(1982) at LLC Red gave me one of the greatest gifts in this life, he encourgaged me to pursue a carrer in agriculture and pointed me in the right direction. I have held numerous high profile positions with the equine/ag industry and have always said one of the most influential people in my life and my carrer choice was Red Heath. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Darrell Burnett
Van Alstyne, Texas |
My deepest sympathy in the passing of Red. I was a student of his from 1992-1995. Red was a hugh influence in my life, and a wonderful teacher. I will always remember him with fondness, and a smile. He was one in a million, and will be missed by so many. God bless you all at this difficult time.
Debby Damrell |
I first really got to know Red in the Fall of 1961 when I started at LJC as a freshman in the Animal Husbandry program. I appreciated his help with the rodeo team, especially the fact that he would drive us to the rodeos when needed.
That summer I worked for the Hassers and often saw him headed to Pritchett as we would be headed North to Lamar, we would exchange waves as we went about our business.
Red often brought his judging teams out to the Rigden Farm to practice for the Stock Show while I was working at CSU.
After I went to work for the Colo. Dept of AG I ran in to Red regularly at K-Bob's , and later at the Blackwell Station.
Red went out of his way to make sure I knew about the LLC reunion in 1997 and that I received an invitation.
I appreciated his condolences when I saw him at breakfast the morning of my Uncle John Gruenloh's funeral.
Red was one of the best!
I hope the spelling is all correct, or this will come back with lots of red circles!!
The Bill Smith family in Ft. Collins,CO.
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Remembering Red Heath is a big part of my childhood. We Lived down the road from Red and Millicent off of 12th street..I babysat
Tonya and Cy and my brother Ron and I took care of their lawn.
You are in my thoughts and prayers....he will be truly missed
by all
Mary (Dashner) O'Malley
Grand Junction Colorado
(Paul and Maxine's Daughter) |
One very special man that will be hugely missed by every life he touched.
God rest in peace.
Zanetta Kelley |
| For the family of Red Heath......Our thoughts and prayers are with you on the passing of a"True Cowboy," a fine man and the best teacher I ever had in my life. He will be greatly missed in this world.....John and Bonnie Kemp |
| for the family of Red Heath. We are sorry that we can not be attend the services but you will be in our thoughts and prayers today and in the future. Red was a great man, a friend and mentor. We are blessed to have known him...from Milt and Mary Mathis |
| For the family of Red Heath-- I feel truly blessed to have known Red and to have had him as an instructor at LCC. He not only taught us about Agriculture but also about life. It was a pleasure to travel with him and participate on the LCC livestock judging team. I have used the things that he taught me thru out my career. Hold on to the memories you have of Red. He was a great man. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend the services but you will be in our thoughts and prayers.........from Milton Mathis |
for Red Heath
As a student of Red's at Lamar Junior College in 1960,
I want to express my thanks to him for one of the most
useful classes in all my college years.
His public speaking class has carried me through life
from someone who was afraid to do any speaking in
front of others to a person who feels at ease in any
communication situation.
from Zelma Rowe Summers |
Cy, Tanya, Nelva and Family,
On behalf of our whole family, let me say how sad we were to hear of Red's passing. He is one of the people in the livestock industry who I have always respected deeply - not only for his knowledge of livestock, but more importantly, for his understanding and skill with people. I never will forget the little black book he had Cy carry with him at State Fairs and Stock Shows to write down the names of people Red introduced him to. Clearly, Red understood the importance of remembering people and seemed to be able to remember people (or judging classes) from years ago!
While I never had Red as a teacher, he did alot to put my Uncle get through LCC and find a path in life. Red had a real passion for young people and I personally witnessed several times when he taught not by telling, but by asking questions and making you arrive at the answer yourself. That's what real teachers do...they don't "tell" they help people discover knowledge themselves. He had a real gift for teaching and I'm confident the investments Red made in the lives of young people will continue to pay dividends for years to come!
I wish I could be with your family tomorrow, but we're showing cattle at Denver this weekend. We will certainly miss seeing Red, but I can only imagine the conversation he may be having with other livestock people as they watch the show from a little different perspective. It seems only appropriate that death would be the only thing that could keep Red away from Stock Show!
God Bless you all! You're in our thoughts and prayers!
Kevin Ochsner Family |
for The Family of Red Heath
His memory will live on forever in the many students,family and friends who's life he touched. He wll be missed by all.
Cathy Buxton & Family |
For the family of Red Heath: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We have enjoyed knowing and loved Red. He will be missed.
Ron and Maggie O'Neal |
We would like to add our condolences to Red's family. We knew him through the Angus industry and mutual friends of the Jim Stroh's.
Ray and Esther Hendrix |
Red Heath. I have known Red many, many years and he will be sadly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Many people were blessed by knowing Red. He was a wonderful man.
Jo Large.
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To the family of James "Red" Heath,
Red always brought special memories of times when Dad was in college, and the long years after as each of us girls knew him through riding horses, the fight to keep our horses long after the City of Lamar demanded we all take them out of town, and college days. The best memories are of bumping into Red around town, always a quick smile, a handshake or a hug, and new memories or laughter. He never missed a chance to smile and say "Hi!"
We'll be remembering you all in our prayers.
The Mulaney Family |
Nelva, Cy, and Tanya,
We are saddened to hear of Red's Passing. He was always someone I tried to get back to see when I came back to town. He always had a kind word for me. Growing up in the same neighborhood as the Heaths, I was in and out of their house almost as much as my own. Red always had advice, words of wisdom or just something funny to say everytime I saw him. I remember once when Cy and I were headed out for the evening Red said to have fun. He also said I don't care what time you boys get home, but just remember we are leaving at 5:30. And if you happen to get in at 5:30, well it'll be a short night.
Your in our thoughts and prayer,
Rod McCorkle and Family.
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| The Family of Red Heath: I treasure the memories made and the miles traveled with Red. A coach, a mentor, a friend, and a legend... James "Red" Heath, we will miss you. Teresa Crowder-Walz |
for the family of Red Heath.
We were so sorry to here of your loss. We have so many fond memories of Red. Gary especially loves to tell the story about him and Red in feed class at LCC when Mr Heath asked if anyone knew what the white part of chicken feces was... and Gary raised his hand and then answered "more chicken shit"! The class roared and Mr heath turned beet red. He was not at all amused at Gary's answer!
He was a good guy and will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
GAry & Melita Cramblet |
Nelva, Cy, Tanya
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss. We will miss "RED".
The Martin Family,
Anthony and Debra
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To Red's Family,
Red was a special person and played a very important role in our families education. He got my compass straightened out at a time when I really needed it and I am forever grateful.
I will miss seeing him during my visits to Lamar.
My thoughts are with you all. It's a little ironic that this happened at the same time the National Western starts.
Rick Brase
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Nelva, Cy, Tanya and Family:
I am so sorry to hear of Red’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all throughout this difficult time. I met Red 31 years ago when I became his work study student at LCC. I still remember his office being full of Angus Journals, some of them older than me. I graded many papers for him over that two year period. Red rarely gave out “A’s” to his students. But, they received life lessons far beyond their education from this man. Little did I know thirty years ago that Red and my paths would again cross when my own children became involved in 4-H and showed sheep. Never a fair passed that Red didn’t stop by the pens to see the kids’ sheep and visit for a while. Red’s quick wit was always with him. During the Sand & Sage Fair Sheep Show a few years back, Red tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Ma’am, can you help me out, I’m kind of new to all of this fair stuff, can you tell me what kind of horses they are showing”? They were showing market lambs!!! I feel privileged to have called James “Red” Heath my friend.
May Peace Be With You All,
Dana Hendrix Barth and Family
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To the family of Mr. Red Heath:
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Red...what a true country gentleman who gave so much of himself!! He will be missed and remembered by many! With sincere sympathy, Homer England and family. |
Nelva, Cy and Tanya,
Our thought and prayers are with you in your time of loss.
Red was a true gentleman who I am proud to say that I knew. He will be truly missed.
From the Watlers Family
Whitney, Nicole, Thomas, Ethan, Lowell, Murielle, and Laurie |
Nelva and family
We are thinking of you in this difficult time. Enjoy your precious memories and smile.
LaNette & Vincent |
My family were neighbors with Red for many years on 12th St. He was available in my younger years for a little direction or a kick in the pants which ever he thought I needed, seemed he always knew, He was a great friend and neighbor to us.
We will miss you Red God Bless Boyd Gist |
To the Red Heath family. It was sad to hear about Reds passing. Our family lived next door to Red, Millicent, Tanya, and Cy on 12th street. He was a good friend to my mom, sister, and the 4 boys. I remember we used to play cowboy and indians in Red's barn all the time. We would also call him at night whenever we thought there was a "proweler" in the neighborhood and he would always come over and search around or take us in his pickup and drive around the block. Please accept our condolenses on behalf of the entire Gist family from south 12th street.
Karen
Boyd
Jon
Bret
David |
For the family of Red Heath...
Troy and I worked at the Big R store for many years and always enjoyed it when Red would come in. He was always one of our favorite people in the world. He will be greatly missed by all. May God be with you now and always. Jennifer & Troy Piper |
For Red Heath
What a special soul Red was. I feel genuinely blessed for having known him. My most special memory of him happened when I was in grade school. One of my pet lambs had died and Red knew how upset I was. He showed up on a freezing winter day with the tiniest little black lamb, so small he couldn't even look through the first slot in the fence - he odds were against it surviving. Red told me to care for it with all my heart, to the best of my ability and he had faith I could help this lamb survive. There was no way I was letting Red or that lamb down. I named the lamb Herschel and I was going to do everything in my power to make it live so Red would be proud. The lamb lived, sold as a show lamb and Red always remembered "Herschel". That was the kind of man he was, special, caring and inspired people to be their best, and care for God's creatures. My heart and prayers are with you all. God Bless You All Sheila Rowan-Hosick |
| To the family of Red Heath, Our hearts and prayers are with you. Red was always a good friend and great source of advice about cattle to me and my boys. The times we spent with him and the stories he told us will be cherished forever. Love, The Tim May Family |
| Nelva and family- My thoughts and preyes are with all of you. Sheila McTaggart |
| For "Red" Heath - Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time from the Bodie Winters family. I will always remember "Red" as he believed in me in my wilder days!! I am sorry to miss the services but have show cattle at the Denver Stock show. I know "Red" would understand but I will miss you stopping by the stall and seeing the heifer. Bodie Winters |
We wish we could be with you to celebrate Red's life and believe that he is now blessed to experience God's great love for him to a degree that we cannot imagine or begin to measure.
Wesley and Sherry Sokol
University Park, Florida |
"Red" Heath family
We were saddened with the news of 'Red's passing......Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
The crew at DeLoach's Culligan
Jim
Darren
Brad
LaRoyce
CJ
Bob |