Thomas F. Heath

Thomas F. Heath, 78, of Topeka, passed away at Stormont-Vail Hospital on April 9, 2015. Tom was born in Berwyn, IL on September 02, 1936 to Winfield and Florence (Favorite) Heath. The family moved from Illinois to Topeka where Tom graduated from Topeka High School. Tom served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 – 1959 aboard the U.S.S. Rainier and then attended Washburn University.

Tom married Marilyn Carnahan in March 1965, and together they had two children, Shellene and Mark. He worked for Koss Construction and then Martin Tractor Company until he retired. Marilyn and Tom got to take several great vacations and particularly loved the Hoh Rainforest in Washington State. Tom enjoyed tinkering with hit & miss engines and attending antique tractor shows. He participated with the Greater Kansas City Two Cylinder Club in their annual 35 mile tractor drive in 2012 and 2014. He was a loyal fan of Washburn Ichabod basketball and he was also a long-time member of the American Legion and Kiwanis. Tom was very proud of, and enjoyed sharing the journey of his grandson who is also in the US Navy and currently stationed in San Diego, CA. His unique sense of humor was appreciated by everyone who got to know him.

Tom is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter and son-in-law, Shelley and Mike Thurman and their son, Justen Thurman; his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Sheri Heath and their daughter, Maggie. He is also survived by his brother, David Heath of Austin, TX; his sister, Sue Pettijohn of Boulder, CO and his sister, Nancy Miller of Dallas, TX. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Jack Heath.

Memorial services will be held at the Mount Hope Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel on Friday, April 17 at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Memorial donations may be made in Tom's name to the Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st Street, Topeka, KS 66614.