David Leroy Heath's Obituary
David Heath was born in Tallahassee, Florida, on May 8, 1948, to Cleve and Betty Heath. The family moved to Toledo, Ohio, where Betty had family and friends, and where his sister Diana was born. It was a great place for a young boy: surrounded by farmland, a small school, bare feet, and tall grass. They were driving through Tulsa to move back to Florida, when as they say "this is where the car broke down." Soon after, Darvis and Donna were added to the family. David's first job was an early morning paper route, which provided him with independence and many adventures. Throughout high school, he worked at McDonald's, which he loved. One adult and a staff of teenage boys, wild and crazy times. Including water fights at closing time, throwing rolls of toilet paper through the golden arches, and a lesson learned about not mixing bleach and ammonia.
He enlisted in the Army and directly after graduation was sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana for basic training. Although he heard his unit would be deployed to Germany, he was instead sent to Vietnam. He was part of an engineer's group and had so many stories from his time there. One such story involving when he accidentally tipped his crane onto its side. His CO told him he was never getting out of the army “until you pay for my crane." Another cherished memory was bonding with his troop on his birthday over some Cokes and chocolate cake his mom sent. He was eventually sent home after his dad suffered a stroke, and his family needed his support. When he stepped off the plane he had five dependents. A friend of his dad, put him to work and got him started in the meat packing industry. He always had a side gig: whether it was loading trucks at the Dr, Pepper plant, unloading trucks carrying hanging sides of beef, buying and selling cars, and eventually renovating old houses.
Despite his busy schedule, he managed to find time for love. His first wife was Virginia, who had a daughter named Laurie. After he adopted Laurie, they soon welcomed their son, Michael. His second marriage was to Donna, who lived across the street from his best friend Ken Nix; there was never a dull moment. Then came his third wife, Vickie. He took responsibility for all of these: worked too much, not enough attention given, or too hard to get along with. He often said you cry your tears, take time to heal, and then go on with life.
His later life led him to become a partner at Tulsa Beef & Provisions. And while doing a favor for a friend at Perry's, he would meet his fourth wife, Debbie. After spilling her chili and while trying to quickly clean it up, the first words he said to her when she walked into the back were, "I think we can still use it." He often joked about not knowing who was crazier: him, for going in for fourth marriage, or her, for marrying three-time divorcee. His marriage to Debbie brought two new daughters Angie and Rebecca. Or, when he wanted to poke at them, Angelica and Lips. Later, welcoming their "bonus baby," Elizabeth. Over the years, their lives would be blessed with a yard full of grandchildren, and later-on great-grandchildren, It was an outright. indisputable circus; holiday gatherings and birthday celebrations, gave us even more stories.
When he was diagnosed with cancer, he learned there was no cure and that treatment could only buy him some time. He fought hard through it all and gained an extra year. And we are grateful for the time it bought us. Throughout all this, he worried about us constantly; whether we would be okay after he passed. While it hurts now, we have many happy memories to look back on, So, we will be fine; just not today.
What’s your fondest memory of David?
What’s a lesson you learned from David?
Share a story where David's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with David you’ll never forget.
How did David make you smile?