Tom Heath

Our beloved brother Tommy Lee Heath, 61, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at John Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis.

Tom was born Aug. 12, 1949, in Cape Girardeau. He was a graduate of Central High School in Cape Girardeau in 1967. He attended Baily Technical and Diesel Mechanic School in St. Louis and graduated in 1968 as a diesel mechanic.

He was in the U.S. Army and served his country in Vietnam from May 1969 until May 1971 when he was discharged.

Upon his return from the Army he was employed by Chief Auto Parts in Anaheim, Calif., as an assistant manager in store operations. He relocated back to Cape and was associated with Jim Wilson Auto Parts for the next 18 years.

Tom, a member of the VFW, Eagles and Elks, was an avid golfer and lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He enjoyed working on cars, especially classic cars. He was a dedicated racing fan, and enjoyed attending the yearly Indy 500 Car Race in Indianapolis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother. He is survived by two brothers, Al of Cape Girardeau, Melvin (Moe) of Hartsburg, Mo.; and two sisters, Carolyn Woetzel of Arlington, Texas, and Candy Coleman of Kansas City, Mo.

A gravesite service of remembrance will be at Cape Memorial Park at a date in the near future. Tom's love for his family and friends will be remembered always. Rest in peace, Brother Tom.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of local arrangements.