Charles Peterson Heath

Dr. Charles “Charlie” Peterson Heath passed away on July 10th from pancreatic cancer. Charlie was born to McClellan and Ann (Peterson) Heath on February 8, 1946 in Lexington, Kentucky. He was the third of five children. At the age of 12, Charlie’s family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 1964. In 1968, Charlie received a bachelor’s degree in history from Northern Arizona University.

While attending college in Flagstaff, Arizona, Charlie met Cecilia “Cecil” Avelar, a local girl who introduced him to mariachi music and eating Mexican food using a tortilla as a fork. They fell in love. After dating for six years, Charlie and Cecil were married on February 17, 1973.

Three years later, their first daughter, Christina was born, followed by Monica in 1979. In August of that same year, the family moved to Greeley, Colorado, so Charlie could pursue a doctorate in child psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.

In 1982, the family moved back to Phoenix, Arizona, and Charlie started his career as a child psychologist in the Deer Valley School District. Charlie received his Ph.D. in 1984 and worked in the schools until his retirement in 2004. After retiring, Charlie devoted his time to gardening, collecting sports cards, and spending time with family.

Throughout his time on earth there were three constant loves in his life: family, University of Kentucky basketball, and the Phoenix Suns, in that order. Charlie was a kind and generous man who enjoyed and excelled at helping troubled children. He used his wit and sense of humor to disarm and comfort. To his daughters, Tina and Monica, Charlie was their biggest fan. His grand-daughter Jessie Ruth was the twinkle in his eye, and his wife Cecil was his best friend and laugh partner for 53 years. Charlie will be remembered for his devotion to family and friends, his joking, and his OCD tendencies (as he called them).

Charlie is survived by his wife Cecilia, two daughters Tina and Monica, son-in-law David, granddaughter Jessie Ruth, sister Mary Ann, brothers Edward and James Robert “Bob” and several nieces and nephews. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents McClellan and Ann and his brother Johnston “Johnny” Heath.

A prayer service will be held at A.L. Moore-Grimsahw Mortuaries Bethany Chapel (710 W. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013) on Monday, July 15th, from 5-7pm. A church service will be held the following day, July 16th, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church (3220 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85053) from 11am until noon, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (http://action.phoenixchildrens.com/goto/CHeath).

A special thank you to the staff at Banner Thunderbird for taking such wonderful care of Charlie while he was in your care. The support you provided to Charlie and his family while they were at the hospital provided much-needed comfort during a very difficult time.