Dalton Heath

Dalton David Heath Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather Dalton David Heath, 72, beloved husband of Loreta Faye (Skeet) Heath, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 9, 2006 at St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, Texas following a brave battle with a recent illness. He was born July 27, 1933 in the Wilomar community of the Rio Grande Valley, the fourth of five children of David William and Johnnie Texanna Heath. He attended Raymondville High School where he was a starting end on the football team and voted most popular boy by friends that he remained close to throughout his life. Dalton was a veteran of the United States Army serving at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas , where his role as a drill instructor made best use of the tough, no-nonsense demeanor he was known to occasionally display. He retired from the Texas State Highway Department working as a road inspector for twenty years before becoming a sales representative to the Rio Grande Valley for Capital Cement Co. based in San Antonio, Texas. His thirty years with Capital Cement were truly the best of his life and allowed him to use his love of people and knowledge of construction processes to their greatest extent. His job with Capital required him to guide dove, quail and deer hunts for his customers three months out of every year. Needless to say, this was a labor he loved. Dalton served as a deacon for the First Baptist Church in San Benito, Texas where he lived from 1963 until his retirement in 1999, when he and Skeet moved to Huntsville, Texas. His favorite times were those spent with his family. He was such a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, matching all others brag-for-brag. Dalton had many talents, but washer-tossing, knife sharpening, shotgun shooting, outdoor cooking and gardening were his best. His quail hunting skills were truly second-to-none. His five washer-tossing championships, along with his brother-in-law, Wade Caldwell, are still unmatched at the annual Caldwell family reunions. His barbeque beef ribs could set you down for hours. Dalton is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Charles Alton (Audie) Heath. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Skeet; daughter, Pamela Gail Holloway and husband Bill of Mission, Texas; two sons; Dalton (Skip) D. Heath, II and wife Suzette of Huntsville, Texas; Bryan W. Heath and wife Angela of Charlotte, North Carolina; grandchildren; William Heath Holloway, Tamara Kaye Holloway Cruise and husband Rob, April Brooke Holloway Fielder, and husband Marc, Christina Amber Haley, Sarah Elizabeth Heath, and Dalton (Trey) D. Heath, III; great-granddaughters; Reagan Kaye Cruise and Gracie Avis Cruise. Dalton is also survived by a brother; Donald, and two sisters; Dortha Casey and Joy Heasley. A visitation with the family is set for 5:00-7:00 pm Sunday, February 12, 2006 at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas. A celebration of DaltonÂ’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, February 13, 2006 in the chapel of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, under the direction of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, with services conducted by Dr. Richard Rogers and Gene Graham, a lifelong friend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alpha Omega Academy, P.O. Box 8419, Huntsville, TX 77340. The family wishes to express their gratitude and thanks to Drs. David Toronjo and Tom Weber, and all of the nurses and staff at St. Joseph Hospital for their kindness and dedication shown to Dalton during his illness. Memorial condolences may be made to the family online at www.shmfh.com

Dalton Heath

July 27, 1933 - February 13, 2006