Leonard Emmett Heath

On February 14, 2020, my grandfather, the man I called Papa, Leonard Emmett Heath
passed away. He was born on October 25, 1924, in Leavenworth, WA and was 95 years old.
Papa was not only my grandfather, but he was a son to the late Emmett & Ethyl Heath,
brother to surviving sibling Emily Jacobsen, & the late Dorothea Parker & Norman Heath.
He was a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather, a man of faith, and a friend to many.
His family was his world. When someone passes you try to find light during a time of
hurt. I find some solace in knowing that when he passed, this 2020 Valentine’s Day, he
was reunited with the love of his life, Betty M. Heath (Humes).

Leonard and Betty had three beautiful children, who married three beautiful people
(Linda & late husband Jeffrey Larson, Cindy & her husband Robert Marks, and Emmett
& his wife Billy Heath), who provided them eight uniquely different and special grandkids
(Megan & her husband Robert Gallwas, Sarah Larson, Kevin & his wife Marisa Larson, Jay
& his wife Chana Heath, Jesse & her husband Alex Hedlund, Ethan & his wife Emily
Marks, Ruth Marks, & William Heath), who have provided eleven great-grandchildren
(Sydnie, Grace, Hunter, Brennan, Carter, Emerson, Colton, Jack, Greyson, Noah, and one
on-the-way) with who knows how many more to come. Leonard left behind a legacy that
will be forever moved forward through the devoted love of his family.

At 19 years old, Leonard began his service in the United States of America Navy as an Aviation Machinist Mate H Second Class. He
served from April of 1943 till April of 1946 when he was Honorably Discharged. During his time in service, he received the American
Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. I think back and do not remember him sharing much about this time of
his life, maybe I was just too young to remember or did not truly understand at the time, but I strongly believe that it shaped part of
his future and direction as he moved on to college and his career.

After his Honorable Discharge from the Navy Leonard attended Seattle University. At Seattle University he received a degree in
Industrial Engineering and was also a few credits away from obtaining a second degree in Electrical Engineering but decided to work
for Boeing and support his family. I recently learned that it was during his time studying at Seattle University, that he met two
friends, Ed and Bill Humes. One day he went home with Ed and Bill to do some homework and met their little sister, Betty, who he
married on June 4, 1950.

Boeing was Leonards place of employment. He worked as an engineer until his retirement. I remember seeing him arrive home in his
suit with a smile on his face. If I only truly understood at the moment how his hard work and dedication would impact my work ethic
and love of life in those moments. His commitment provided his family time as a family. Whether it was breakfast at the Sit-n-Bull,
dinner on Sundays, a trip to Leavenworth, Chelan, or Black Butte Ranch. It was his hard work and dedication that created such a
unique large close family.

Once retired, and even prior to his retirement you would find Leonard on the golf course, enjoying a quiet swim, reading the paper,
or singing a good old favorite such as Little Joe the Wrangler or The Cremation of Sam McGee. He believed in staying active and
educating his mind. I believe his overall self-care allowed him a long fulfilling life.
Leonard was a man of much integrity. Besides devoting his life to his family, he was a devoted Catholic. He had no need to speak his
faith because his faith was present in every second and decision of his life. He believed in the beauty and peace that awaited his
arrival. Now that Betty and Papa are united once again I imagine that they are sitting down watching over us with a good cup of
strong coffee and an unlimited amount of chocolate chip cookies to dunk along the way.

To celebrate the man I will forever refer to as Papa, as a family we are holding a small intimate service held graveside at the Orting
Cemetery (19600 Orting Kapowsin Hwy E) in Orting, WA at Noon on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Shortly after we will reconvene at
my home, Megan Gallwas’ (6710 81st Street Ct E Puyallup 98371) for a Celebration of Life. This will begin around 2:00 pm or shortly
after. Please come to either or both events to share stories, memories, laugh, cry, and celebrate. Finally, as a family, we would like to
extend our sincerest gratitude towards the Critical Care Unit at Valley Medical for the love and care of papa. Also, many thanks to
Powers Funeral Home for being so understanding and accommodating during this difficult time

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leonard Emmett Heath, please visit our floral store.