Heath Cruts Ice

Heath Cruts Ice was born in Watonga, Oklahoma on November 11, 1981 and passed away August 1, 2013 at his home in Ridgecrest, CA at the young age of 31. Heath spent the first three years of his life in and out of Children's Hospital. He had several surgeries in those three years. After his last surgery we brought him home on his third birthday. He never let any of this stop him from doing what he wanted. He always found a way to deal with his "modifications," as he liked to say.

He attended Watonga Elementary K-5, and 6th-7th at Keys Elementary, Keys, OK. He spent the rest of his school years at Tahlequah Public Schools where he was graduated as Valedictorian, in 2000.

From a young age he was interested in electronics and in fixing computers. Heath always loved learning! Heath was hired by Tahlequah schools his sophomore year as a computer tech. He was very well respected for his tenacity and humor, and received the TEA scholarship for teaching. This scholarship was bestowed upon him because he had taught teachers and fellow classmates about computers, and would continue to teach people the rest of his life. Heath also tutored for Boys and Girls Club of Tahlequah.

Heath attended Rolla-Missouri State University of Engineering and was graduated in 2005. Soon after he became a Computer Engineer and was hired by NAWCWD-China Lake in 2005.

The following was written by a coworker:

"Heath was with us at China Lake for a short period, but contributed to the Nations' security in several meaningful ways. Not only did Heath help advance the Anti-submarine Warfare capabilities of the Navy, he also contributed to the state of the art in areas of advanced air vehicle threat detection and US force protection. Heath will be remembered by those of us blessed to have worked with him as having a strong work ethic and commitment to our freedoms, and of course his keen sense of humor and introducing us to the novelty of wearing Flipflops and shorts whenever he could. He will be sincerely missed."

Heath is survived by his parents Mickey and Debbie, one sister,Trisha and her family, and one brother, Ray, all of Tahlequah, OK. Grandparents are Willie and Wilma Cruts of Watonga, OK, and Pauline Ice of Fay, OK. His uncle, Don Cruts and his sons, Daniel and Tanner of Edmond, his uncle Rickey and aunt LaNae of Thomas, aunt, LaDawn Archer and her children Colton, and Carsen of Broken Arrow, OK. and uncle Wayne and aunt Karen Hurst of Tonkawa, OK. Heath also leaves behind honorary aunts, uncles, and many, many friends around the world. Heath was preceded in death by his grandfather, Donald Ice, his uncles Bobby and Danny Cruts, and uncle, Danny Ice.

Heath was and continues to be an inspiration to many for his tenacity, endurance, unique humor, loving personality, humility and most of all for living life to the fullest extent possible. We would like to continue his enthusiastic ways by honoring him with the following:

Watonga/Fay Celebration

September 3, 2013 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Fay Community Building

Fay, OK

Tahlequah Celebration

September 5, 2013 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Methodist Activity Center

300 W. Delaware

Tahlequah, OK

We also know he would love you to wear flipflops if you feel comfortable doing so! We will also have a memory drop box, if you would like to write a special memory of Heath for us to keep. You may write it at home and just drop it in the memory box as you enter. His Legacy site, follows if you would like to leave your memories there.

http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/dignitymemorial/guestbook.aspx?n=heath-ice&pid=166274828

In lieu of flowers the family ask that you make donations in Heath's name to the following charities:

1. Fisher House Foundation, INC. 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420 Rockville, Maryland 20850

(They build and donate "comfort homes" on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers, which enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during hospitalization due to illness, disease, or injury. Fisher Houses are a vital sanctuary for the families of our Nation's heroes who have been wounded in combat since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan.)

2. Children's Hospital, Orthopedic Unit in Oklahoma City, OK

3. Any Blue Star Mothers Organization

4. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Mish Funeral Home has the honor of assisting the family. For assistance please call Mish Funeral Home 661-399-9391