Arnold L. Heath

Arnold L. Heath
March 29, 1921 ~ July 27, 2010

Age 89, former Lawton resident ~ Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday in the Becker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel.

Mr. Heath died Tuesday in Norman.

Burial will be in the Rosehill Cemetery in Chickasha under the direction of the Becker Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Arnold Leroy Heath was born on March 29,1921 to John Q And Isabel Marie Heath in Cement, Okla. He was one of eight children who attended a one-room school house in Agawam and worked long hours in the fields of the family farm (when he wasn't sneaking off to play basketball). He lived in southwest Oklahoma his entire life except for a few years when he resided in New Mexico. He and his wife, Virginia, moved to Lawton in 1950 and stayed there until they moved to Norman several years ago to be near their children. Arnold worked for Runyon Paint Contractors and 27 years at Ft Sill where he received many commendations. During his time in Lawton, he coached sports teams at the Peanut, Peewee, Midget, and Prep levels. He was also involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and the Whittier Dad's Club, as well as several civic organizations. He was president of the Southwest All-Sports Association and Secretary/Treasurer of the Lawton Pepsi baseball team.

Arnold met his wife-to-be, Virginia Burkhart, in Chickasha. When she moved to Yuma, Arizona, he left a job in Colorado and hitchhiked to the desert to get married. They would have been married 67 years in September.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia, of Norman; his daughter Darlene (Richard) of Bainbridge Island, Washington; his son, Ronald of Oklahoma City; his son, Rick (Elizabeth) of Norman; his seven grandchildren: Chavis, Destin, Shelby Heath; Dennis and Gregory Epstein; Jennifer Lapin and Ian Ritchie. He has five great-grandchildren, Anna Lapin, JR and Dallas Ritchie, Andrew and Jazz Epstein. In addition, Arnold is survived by siblings Anna, Johnny, George, and David and many nephews and nieces! He was predeceased by siblings Marie, Cora Jo, and A.J. . His family will miss his twinkly eyes, wonderful smile, jokes, and all his stories.

Arnold always said, with a big grin, "Age is just a disease. If you live long enough, you'll catch it".