Carl Allen Heath, 90, longtime North Platte businessman and community leader, died Jan. 24, 2016, at Linden Court in North Platte.
He was born Sept. 24, 1925, to Clyde Newton and Edith Ardella Howe Heath in Curtis. He attended Curtis grade schools and graduated in 1943 from the Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis. While in high school, he had one of the first paper routes delivering the North Platte Telegraph to homes in Curtis.
Carl was proud of being a part of the Greatest Generation, having served his country as a Navy Seaman Second Class on the USS Idaho from 1943 to 1946. He received the Certificate of Sagami Wan in Tokyo Bay during the initial phase of the occupation of Japan and the signing of the terms of the Japanese surrender. He also received the Victory Medal for serving in the Asiatic/Pacific areas for the Philippines liberation.
After his discharge from the Navy, he worked in the Lincoln County Clerk’s office, where he met his future wife, Helen Nadine Richardson. They were married Oct. 16, 1948, at the First Baptist Church in North Platte.
In the late 1940s, he went to work as a salesperson for Ely Hoppe Lumber Company in North Platte. When Ely Construction was formed, Carl became a construction draftsman. He later was a commercial hardware consultant for W.W. Woods and traveled throughout the state managing their projects. When the company sold to Hansen Building Supply, Carl continued as a hardware consultant until he took a “short” retirement.
His next job was with Johnson Hardware of Omaha, and he eventually became manager for the North Platte office. He retired from the firm in 2002. Throughout his career, Carl maintained a strong friendship with all of his co-workers and customers.
Carl served on various church committees, was a member of Kiwanis and he was a member of the American Legion Post 163 at the time of his death.
He worked tirelessly to help construct the new Campfire lodge and cabins at Lake Maloney. He coached Little League baseball and, in his early fatherhood years, he hunted with his sons. He also worked on numerous 4-H projects with his daughter, Kathy. He spent hours golfing with both sons when they were in school, continuing until later in life when he was no longer able to golf.
When his oldest daughter, no longer a child, expressed a desire to have a “real” doll house, Carl built one for her. This blossomed into a hobby and he built seven doll houses, one for his other daughter, two daughters-in-law, and granddaughters, with the promise the doll houses would be passed on within the family.
Carl also took a stained-glass course after his retirement. He created many stained-glass pieces for his and Nadine’s home, as well as his children’s homes.
His family was most important to him. They have many happy memories of fishing, skiing and boating at Lake Maloney and many trips to the Colorado mountains. Carl’s wish was to be remembered as a good father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Carl is survived by his wife, Nadine; two daughters, Kathryn Ann (Paul Dean) Eastwood of North Platte and Karen Sue Heath Lupomech of Richmond, Texas; two sons, Jon Alan (Gina) of Grand Island and Patrick Thomas (Shellie) of Gering; grandchildren Hillary Dunn (Brian) of Missouri City, Texas, Shawn Dean (Kiley) Eastwood of Lincoln, Megan Hynes of Lino Lakes, Minn., Amy (Justin) McMurtry of Holdrege, Kristen (Joel) Vogel of Scottsbluff, Holly Heath of Gering, Annessa Heath of Grand Island, and Mollie (fiancé Craig Rion) Balerud and Jared Heath, both of Omaha, and Chelsea Eastwood and Sean (Jennifer) Balerud, both of North Platte; great-grandchildren, Audrey Dunn of Missouri City, Texas, Austin Hynes of Lino Lakes, Minn., Johnathon Eastwood of Lincoln, Ryker Clausen of Wheatland, Wyo., Bentlie and Deniar Miles, both of North Platte, Mason, Gunnar and Claira Vogel, all of Scottsbluff, and Peyton and Kaylee McMurtry, both of Holdrege and Aven Heath of Gering; many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends; and his dog and best buddy, Toby, who rode in the golf cart with him.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Mildred (Jake) Brittenham, infant brother Rollin Heath, a brother, Warren Blaire (Mildred) Heath, a sister, Bessie (Jim) Hiner, a sister, Edna (Marion) Miller and a sister, Nellie (Bud) McGovern.
Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Veterans’ Memorial and PAWS-itive Partners, PO Box 1145, North Platte, NE 69103, or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.
