James Heath Jr.

James Daniel Heath Jr. GLADE SPRING, Va. James Daniel Heath Jr., 87, passed away Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center, Community Living Center, at Johnson City, Tenn., where he resided for over the past five years. Until retirement, Mr. Heath served as manager of the Meadowview Mill, a subsidiary of Roanoke City Mills. He grew up in Washington County and attended the Barracks School. Mr. Heath was of the Christian faith, loved the outdoors, and being with his family and grandchildren. He was a loving father and friend and will be missed by those who knew him. He was born April 20, 1922, in Washington County, Va., and was the son of the late James Daniel Heath and Maggie Barlow Heath. Mr. Heath was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Parlee E. Heath and also an infant great-granddaughter, Aaleeyah Brooke Eller. He also was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. Surviving are two daughters, Joyce Eller and husband, Steve of Chilhowie, Va.; Janet Campbell of Abingdon, Va.; one grandson, Ryan Eller of Bristol Virginia; one granddaughter, Leann Nunley and husband, Jessee; and great-grandson, Jacen Luke Nunley, of Meadowview, Va. Mr. Heath was a World War II Veteran, wounded in action, serving in the Army Combat Infantry Division in the European-Africian-Middle Eastern Theater and fought in Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland, Germany. He was a decorated World War II Veteran receiving two Purple Hearts, Bronze Star and M-1 Rifle Marksman and other metals. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, inside the Forest Hills Memory Gardens Mausoleum, with Rev. David St. Clair and Chaplain Kevin Holmes officiating. A reception will follow the service in the Pleasant View United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. A private Interment for Mr. Heath will be at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family wishes to express their many thanks and excellent care of Mr. Heath to the administration, staff, nursing staff, chaplains and volunteers at the James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center, Community Living Center, in Johnson City, Tenn., while he lived there. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Chilhowie United Methodist Church, P.0. Box 367, Chilhowie, VA 24319. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700 is serving the family of James Daniel Heath Jr.