James Norman Heaton

James Norman Heaton died from complications with Alzheimer's Disease on September 24, 2025. He was surrounded by loved ones at his care home in Vancouver, Washington.

Born April 14, 1944 in Colfax, Wa. to Fred Norman Heaton and Rosalia Margaret (Dahm) Heaton, he was a rambunctious kid. Rarely separated from his older brother Ron, he earned the nickname, "Me Too." They maintained their close friendship throughout their lives, sharing apartments in Portland in their 20s and, later in life, rarely going a day without speaking.

He attended O'Dea High School in Seattle and Columbia High School in Richland, Wa., where he graduated in 1962.

Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served during the Vietnam conflict in Bangkok, Thailand, as a Quartermaster E4 for two years before being honorably discharged.

After his service, he moved to Seattle and worked for Howard Hughes' Air West, setting up inventory systems in cities across the west coast and living for long stretches in Seattle, Portland, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He later worked as a warehouse manager for Oregon Iron Works, Star Machinery (now Star Rentals), and Pfizer pharmaceutical company in the Portland area.

In January 1980, he married Amy L. Perkins who he met while living in Portland. They divorced in 1984.

Jim joined Alcoholics Anonymous around 1987 maintaining his sobriety for the rest of his life and helping innumerable people get and stay sober, attending, sponsoring, and leading AA meetings in the Vancouver area for almost 40 years.

When mother Rosalia developed symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, Jim chose to be her sole caretaker for ten years, highlighting his love, loyalty and patience.

He is survived by six siblings: Ronald Heaton, Vicki Persinger, Kenneth Heaton, Bob Heaton, Debbie Heaton-Lamp and Ric Heaton; many cousins, nieces and nephews living across the world; and friend of nearly 40 years, Mike Gilbo.

A memorial and reception will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at the Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater in Vancouver, Wa. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Mother Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

The family requests remembrances be offered to a local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon/Alateen, or a trusted addiction services organization.