Obituary of Hubert Ray Heath

Services for Hubert Ray Heath, 81, of New London are scheduled for 2:00 pm Thursday, September 11, at the Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home chapel, Overton with the Rev. C. E. Tipton officiating and Dr. Weldon Viertel assisting. Interment, with Masonic graveside rites, will be at the New Salem Cemetery, Rusk County. According to Ray's wishes, ties are not required to be worn at the services. Ray died Monday, September 8, 2008. He was born March 9, 1927 in the New Salem community, Rusk County to Dave and Mattie Hamilton Heath. He served two years in the U.S. Army Infantry where he trained at Camp Fannin,Tyler and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was a graduate of Tyler Commercial College. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Roy B. Heath and a sister Elsie Bird Heath. Ray was a loving husband and father. He married Pansy Wilson on April 28, 1951 in New London and enjoyed 58 years of marriage. They were blessed with two daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Jim Poole of Overton, LeAnn and Rodney Bazar of Arp; a son and fiancé, Bob Heath and Cynthia Donaho of Angleton; two brothers and a sister-in-law, B.W. Heath of Austin and Ralph and Lela Heath of Tyler and their families; grandchildren Heath and Kelli Poole of College Station, Holly and Adam Beever of San Antonio, Wade and Chrissie Bazar of Flint, Laura and Mike Gill of Dayton, Megan Heath and Ben Heath, both of Angleton, Carolyn Ganstine of College Station and Amanda Gallagher of Brazoria. He also had a "yard-full of great grandchildren" including Cole Poole, Jackson Beever, Ayden Bazar and those on the way, Addie Bazar, Logan Ray Gill, and Ella Gill. Ray was a devoted Christian. He was ordained and served as a deacon at Sardis Baptist Church in Rusk County and served as a deacon at the Second Baptist Church in Angleton for 35 years. He was a member of The Woods Baptist Church in Tyler at the time of his death. He was an active member of the New Salem Masonic Lodge # 87. Ray was a pipefitter. He retired from Dow Chemical Company in Freeport after 33 years of service. He was dedicated to organized labor. He was a member of the Pipefitters Local Union 390 from 1962-2008. He served as the financial secretary from 1966-1995. He was a proud Christian Democrat and an avid sports fan. In his retirement he enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, tending to the home place and raising cattle on his family farm. Pallbearers will be Heath Poole, Wade Bazar, Mike Gill, Ben Heath, Adam Beever and Bill Lehman. Honorary Pallbearer will be Jack Brown. Family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Wednesday September 10. Memorials may be made to The Reverend C.E. Tipton Scholarship Fund, 1817 Shanks Road, Angleton, TX 77515, The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75701 or the charity of choice.