George Stanley Heath

George Stanley Heath passed peacefully into the presence of his Heavenly Father at 7:00p.m. Monday, April 16th 2012. He was born in Portland on October 23rd, 1912. to William and Alice (Jacks) Heath and attended Kerns Grade School. He was enrolled at Benson High School, but had to withdraw during the Depression to take a job in a print shop to help support his Mom and Dad and eventually graduated from Lincoln High School taking night classes. George went to work at the Shopping News, a weekly paper selling advertizing space and was very successful. He met Myrtle Arnholz leaving church in 1937 and they began a marriage that lasted almost 58 years until she passed on in 1996. When World War II broke out, George enlisted in the Navy where he served aboard the USS Wisconsin as a Pharmacy Mate; the equivalent of an dental hygienist. After the war he and Myrtle moved from their first home on Sunset Blvd. to Bend where he operated Heath's Super Cream Ice Cream Parlor for about five years. Two sons were born during this time: Stan and Bruce. Moving back to Portland in 1952 George worked briefly for Meier and Frank selling sporting goods while applying at the U.S. Postal Service. The family moved from a duplex in Ladd's Addition into a home on SE 44th and Sherman Street. where they would spend the next 35 years. After George retired from the Postal Service, they moved to King City where they made many friends and entertained their grandchildren at the local swimming pool during the summer. After Myrtle passed, George enjoyed a wonderful friendship with Marylou Wheeler a long time friend. It was at that time we realized what a great dancer George was and they made an adorable couple. George had wonderful vacations at the beach. He was especially fond of Moe's oyster stew. George will always be remembered as a charming conversationalist, a devoted Dad and Grandparent, a man who practiced contentment in whatever situation he found himself in. He had a great sense of humor, was a wise, caring, earnest, fun loving, hardworking, patient, appreciative, man who was always ready for a spontaneous adventure. George was survived by his sons Stan (Susan), Bruce (Kris), and seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. George put his trust in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior so we look forward to a reunion in heaven so we don't say "good-bye" but "until then".