LeRoy Cox Heaton's Obituary
LeRoy Cox Heaton - January 1, 1925 - December 5, 2020
Father’s love and example continues to emulate the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In passing, his hope, faith, and valiant testimony is upheld, enhanced, and sustained. Our family treasures the precious moments with Dad and Mom days before his passing. Dad was enduring, not wanting to withdraw from his beautiful wife. The family realized increasing discomfort in him so our hesitant mother expressed to her forever companion that it was ok to return home and be with his beloved mother and father, and siblings and spouses he adored, and other dear ones who had journeyed before. Afterward, Dad peacefully crossed the veil, to ensure glorious attention to his bride with grace.
Dad was the youngest son of 10 children, born to Israel & Charlotte Cox Heaton. He is the Patriarch of 6 children, 37 grandchildren, 104 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren plus all the In-Loves. Numerous are the heirs to his loving kindness who will dearly miss Grandpa’s fun, tunes, and clips of his irreverent but well intentioned nature. Dad is survived by his eternal companion, Esther Ruth Smith Heaton and his children RuLea Brooksby Taggart, Linda (Sherrell) Berrett, Lyle (Patti) Heaton, Dale (Marlene) Heaton, Gary (Sandy) Heaton and Shaun (Angela) Heaton. Dad was preceded in death by his parents and siblings and their spouses as well as his 2 sons-in-law, Victor Brooksby and Bryan Taggart, and 3 grandchildren, Doug Bench, William Brooksby, and Randy Brooksby.
Dad’s youth was spent charging the wild but stunning deserts of Kanab, Utah. As a rambunctious farm boy of 10, LeRoy lost his father who passed away from stomach cancer. Dad values the last recollection of his father. “I asked Dad to help me, so he hobbled to the barn and I was taught on how to mend broken leather on horse tack”. Not long after, Dad’s father was ready to expire amid a solemn fall night. The verdict not to wake the youngster was determined. His father entrusted to his soon-to-be widow, Charlotte, “Keep LeRoy Busy.” LeRoy’s life epitomized this barely audible decree to the highest distinctions of triumph.
A grim Christmas eve of 1939 found Dad’s left eye crippled which would forever affect his human trial. Doing barn chores, he found an aged break action single shot .22 rifle which he scrubbed and fixed up. His brother, Alma, test fired the weapon to make sure it was secure. A short time later, Dad fixed a .22 bullet in the chamber and upon closing, the shell exploded sending shrapnel into the Dad’s eyeball. Scrambling through the kitchen door with his hands covering his face, Dad found some folks chatting. His mom quizzed, “LeRoy, will you lower your hands?”. Dad described “I knew something was horrifically wrong by the expression on mother’s face.” Frustration at having one good eye was supposed when he lacked depth perception. Ball sports, even pouring milk into a saucer was demanding. However, Dad turned lemons into lemonade and found a silver lining by performing conspiracies with his glass eye much to the hilarity of children and adults. Invariably, these are the recollections from a world whom Dad befriended.
Dad achieved his elementary schooling in Kanab and added the trumpet to his developing musical savvy. He collected a high school diploma in May of 1943. A few of his many childhood mates were Cloyd Chamberlain and Neil Crosby. It's believed that Dad outlived his dwindling graduating class as he wistfully commented, “I may be the last to survive.”
Dad’s love of beekeeping materialized from working with his mother, and he acquired wonderful memories by her side studying bee culture. This affection for the stinging insect persevered for 80 years to which age, not desire, contrived its cessation. As Dad characterized a year during the great depression, he pondered, “Mother earned more money selling honey than Dad made off the wool from the sheep. He was always worried about money and bills.” Grandpa LeRoy’s descendants have memories of swollen eyes and other body parts from helping while dressed in hot, sweaty, and sticky bee suits. Marvelous how we value these recollections with Grandpa. Dad imparted his favored bee humor to the end. “Why do bees buzz? You would buzz too if somebody stole your honey and necked her (nectar)”.
The world was diseased from war and atrocities and Dad was drafted. At Fort Douglas he passed pre-boot camp testing. Finalizing his examinations, he was directed to a desk to complete his paperwork thus altering his stumble into a theatre of disorder. A soldier examined, “What’s wrong with your eye?” Dad explained to the soldier his glass eye, who then asked his superior, “Are we taking partial disability recruits?” A negative response was given. The soldier henceforth placed a 4F stamp on Dad’s paperwork and shoved it into Dad’s pensive hands. Dad, puzzling over the impasse, demanded, “What do I do now?” The soldier quipped, “I don't care, get the he.. out of here and go home.” Instead, he rushed to Logan to further his courtship with mom who was surprised and launched jubilant tears which confirmed to dad’s euphoric heart that mom’s affection was the real deal. Dad desired to serve his country so he initiated other venues to display his patriotism. He clutched reverential admiration for the flag, the soldier, and The Star Spangled Banner anthem.
Esther and LeRoy stumbled onto each other after a Utah State football game in Logan. The game concluded and the masses were leaving. Mom caught that a handsome young man on crutches and leg in a cast, needed assistance negotiating the hill on which they were sitting. Dad would recollect, “And she has been helping me ever since”. Love blossomed and this duet was married August 8, 1946 in the Logan Temple. With humorous affection, they accord how the ensuing days were created. Consequent to their departure, Dad performed a last minute inspection in the bee yard for honey flow. The hives being plugged full dealt a need to urgently extract. An inspection of an old print snapped in the small hours of night, with them in full bee regalia attests they enjoyed a sweet “Honey Moon”.
Years later, with 4 young children in the family band, Dad went to BYU during which time a newborn join the concert. Dad then graduated from BYU in 1960 in music education. A fun story of Dad’s occurred while teaching music at Fredonia High School. He bussed all his bands and choral classes to music festival leaving only two pupils behind. A testament to his determination that young people should have a modicum of music capability. He excelled at cultivating young people musically in this small but earthy community from 1960 - 1973. Reflections from his many students are a soothing balm for grieving loved ones. A favorite was humored by one pupil, “I remember one time Mrs. Heaton coming into the band room saying, ‘Honey, you forgot your eye this morning.’” This was not a singular occurrence. Dad’s chorus and bands garnished high honors. Dad’s influence as a Bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, is characterized by his compassion for members and nonmembers. Branded on the souls of participants as both fun and rewarding was the Kiabab wood project.
Agonizing was the determination on a move to Orem. Separation from cherished friends and family in Fredonia, Kanab, and all of southern Utah would be painful. Dad soon acquired another career and his influence as an Orem City Street Supervisor drew people to him and Dad reciprocated with genuine kindness.
After retirement in 1987, Dad and Mom served in the Oglala South Dakota Mission, Cebu Philippines Mission, and served in the St. George Temple. Acknowledgements from their acquaintances, remind of the testament “Teach the gospel, use words if necessary.”
Dad’s other hobbies were gardening, hunting deer and rabbits with his boys, Kiwanis club, and was a supportive BYU sports fan. Give a shout out and a yippee if you are one of the brave who ventured onto one of Dad’s zip lines or the eskimo blanket toss.
Prior to their nuptials, Esther’s father, Elias, asked LeRoy when they were going to be married? Dad commented a firm desire to first serve a mission. Mom’s anxious father proclaimed “If you want her, you better get her now”. They’re forever grateful for that judgement. After being married 5 months, during an interview with Elder Spencer W. Kimball, Dad was reminded not only the value in starting a family, but the importance of serving a full-time mission. The world in conflict depleted missionaries during the war, so married young men were called after its termination. Mom and Dad accepted and he was called to the Eastern States mission and was set apart by Elder Richard L. Evans. From the embrace of a tearful bride, Dad departed with mom not detecting their first baby. 74 years later, again a mission transfer for Dad has seemingly moved to a different verse, but songs of the heart are eternal. In lieu of being with child, Mother is carrying a wonder of melodies, tendered by her angel husband.
We will forever miss our Father but know his influence will continue to bless our lives. We miss you and love you Daddy!! Until we meet again.
Funeral for LeRoy C. Heaton will be Friday (Dec 11) at 11:00 a.m. at 641 S 400 E Chapel in Orem - S.E. corner of Scera Park. There will be a viewing at 9:30 a.m. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 pm at the Orem City Cemetary. We apologize in advance but this will be for DIRECT family members only. A public viewing will be held Thursday night (Dec. 10th) from 6-8 p.m. at same location 641 S 400 E, Orem. We invite cousins, friends, etc to attend. Mom wishes that any money for flowers or gifts to be donated to LDS humanitarian services. We ask that masks be worn and Covid protocols are followed.
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When: Dec 11, 2020 11:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
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