Jerry Lee Heath, age 31, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 30, 2018, at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was born May 26, 1987, in New Bern, North Carolina, to Jimmy and Kathy Heath. He was a 2005 graduate of New Bern High School. He married the love of his life, Mary Fernandez on October 6, 2012, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. On June 28, 2015 he welcomed his beautiful son Jerry Lee Heath Jr. into his life. He loved little JJ with all his heart.
CTN1(IW/SG/SW) Jerry Lee Heath enlisted into the United States Navy on June 16, 2005. After completion of recruit training and Quartermaster “A” School in Great Lakes, IL he reported to USS PORTER (DDG 78) homeported in Norfolk, VA, where he was assigned to the Navigation Department as a Quartermaster from 2005-2009. During his time onboard he conducted multiple deployments, including anti-piracy operations during which the destroyer attacked and sank two pirate skiffs off the coast of Somalia and earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia.
In 2009 he cross-rated to Cryptologic Technician Networks (CTN). While working as a CTN, it was Jerry’s job to detect, protect, react and respond against foreign threats. This was Jerry’s true passion. He loved working with computers, computer networking and programming. When it came to anything computer related, Jerry would help in an instant to historic success. Jerry was selected to be a Cryptologic Network Leading Petty Officer due to his knowledge, skill sets, and superior leadership. Jerry earned the Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist insignia at Navy Information Operations Command Georgia in 2012.
While attached to USS GEORGIA (SSGN-729) in 2013, he received his Submarine Warfare insignia (Dolphins), which he was most proud of. In order to receive this, Jerry had to complete a complex and demanding training program while demonstrating how to operate each station of the submarine in an emergency situation.
He served at Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii from 2016-2018. During which time he served as Division Leading Petty Officer for a Cyber Protection Team, and was hand-selected to serve as the Weapons Officer during a National-level Cyber Certification Exercise, a position typically held by more senior ranking Officers.
During his time in the Navy he was awarded three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, four Navy Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal (Expeditionary and Service), Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal, Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal, and numerous Unit and Campaign awards.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Mary Heath; his son Jerry (JJ) Heath Jr.; his father Jimmy (Jim) Heath; his brothers, Jason Hughes and Zachary Heath; his sister, Jennifer Popperwill; his grandmother, Janice Heath and cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and many close friends.
The family will receive from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 16th at Cotten Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 9:00 am on Friday, August 17th at Cotten Funeral Home's Chapel with a graveside service to follow at Coastal Carolina Cemetery in Jacksonville. We will reminisce, grieve, support each other and celebrate his life.
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