James Eugene Heath, 81, a local resident, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, at his South Aberdeen home.

James was born on Nov. 7, 1940, in Clinton, Iowa to parents Vernon and Marcella Heath, (Theilbar). He attended the city’s schools but was very eager to join the service. So, at the age of 16 and with his parents’ permission, James joined the Navy. James spent several years in the military, traveling to various countries before exiting in 1961. After his discharge from the service, he had several careers throughout his lifetime that he enjoyed sharing stories about. He was a Greyhound bus driver, a painter, worked for the Maryland Department of Corrections and managed Harbor Wood Treating.

When he was a young man, he met and married Kathleen Heath. The couple had three sons, and one daughter together. They later divorced. James later met Lorraine Heath, and they were wed on Nov. 28, 1980, in Iowa. Over the years, the couple resided in Maryland, Iowa and Washington. After James retired from the Maryland Department of Corrections in 2001, they moved to Aberdeen where he resided and later became the manager at Leisure Manor Park until 2013.

James enjoyed fishing, and to tell stories of his youth and his days as a Greyhound bus driver. He loved to take long drives, and strolls around his neighborhood, but most of all, he was a family man. He enjoyed visits from his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

James is survived by his sister, Carla Peterson of Clinton, Iowa; his children: sons, Bill Heath and his wife Bruni of Maryland; Jim Heath of Virginia, Bob Heath of Virginia; daughter Tamara Sutton of Texas; stepdaughters: Roaxanne Richardson and her husband John of Aberdeen, Washington; and Jennifer Whitted of Hoquiam, Washington; grandchildren: Bill, Michelle, Jeremy, Erik, Christian, Kayla, Matthew, Samantha, Billy and Chris; and great-grandchildren: Rachel, Faith, Mason, Breanna and Mia.

A celebration of life will be held in early September. An announcement with service details will be published at a later time.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, in Aberdeen, Washington.