Charles “Charlie” William Heath Jr.
PROSPECT - Charlie was born April 28, 1936 in St. Clairsville, Ohio, to Charles William (Orville) and Mildred Eileen Heath. He moved to Columbus, Ohio to attend Ohio State University, where he’d meet the love of his life, Clydetta. After meeting her on a blind date and proclaiming she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid eyes on and he was in love, they married 6 months later on May 25, 1958. Their relationship was inspirational and worthy of a movie. They eventually moved to Manchester, Ohio, where they would raise their family together. Charlie worked at Babcock and Wilcox in Barberton, Ohio, for 32 years. Most of his career there was as a structural steel designer for boiler systems in the fossil fuel industry. He was a man of deep values, with an unwavering focus on family. He loved to joke, laugh and dance. Charlie loved bowling with his family in his younger years and was a fierce competitor in horseshoes and later in cornhole. His home in Manchester was his favorite place to spend time. He remodeled and meticulously maintained their home over the years. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or reengineer. His push lawn mower was a testament to this. Reengineered with kitchen utensils and found objects, it is sure to grace the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running mower in history. In 2016, he and Clydetta moved to Louisville, Kentucky to be cared for by their daughter and son-in-law. In 2020, his heart was broken when he lost his true love of 63 years. With her tucked in his heart and soul, he lived his remaining years surrounded by family, engaged in smacktalking cornhole matches, lots of lively laughter and even more love. He truly loved life. He passed on the morning of December 12, 2023 in the comfort of his daughter and son-in-law’s farm in Kentucky, where he was surrounded by love. He leaves behind his son, Kenneth C. Heath (Laurel); daughter, Sherri L. Black-Leggett (Albert); grandchildren, Nicole Black, Erica Lynch, Albert Leggett IV (Julia), Chadwick Leggett (Kelly), Russell Leggett (Caitlin), Jayden Leggett, and Bryaunna Hays; great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. We were all blessed to have had him in our lives. A special thank you to the man who introduced my parents on that blind date, David Morgan, my father’s best friend. We are forever grateful.