Robert L Heath

We sadly share the passing of our dad, Robert Heath, age 89, of Sarasota, Florida on Friday, the 3rd of June, 2022. Dad was born in Macon, Georgia. He was better known by friends as Bob, but called Bobby by his siblings.

Our dad was one of the most joyful, positive individuals you would want to know. Never did he meet a stranger.

Dad was the 5th born of nine children who grew up in rural Macon County, Georgia.

In 1950 he met our mother, Josephine Davis in Macon, Georgia where they married in April of 1952. Their first child was born two years later. They then moved to Speedway, Indiana where three brothers were born within ten years. Our parents moved to Bradenton, Florida in the early 60s, and divorced in 1965. Dad remarried in 1971 to Frances Wendell.

Dad was employed by The Fuller Brush Company as a door-to-door salesman from 1955-1980. He also sold Watkins Products during the 80s. From 1980-2000 he was a handyman with excellent repair skills and painting skills.

Bob was predeceased by our mother, Josephine Burnett and our step-mother, Frances Wendell Heath; his parents, Ira Heath & Ruby Heath Gatliff; siblings, John Heath, Murray Heath, James Jr Gatliff, & sister, Loretta Brewer; grandson, Michael Heath Jr; and step-son Larry Wendell. Bob is survived by his companion friend, Fern Tucker; daughter, Debra (Alan) Osborne; sons Michael (Laquita) Heath, Christopher Heath, & David Heath; step-children, Sheree (Vince) Torres, Gary (Donna) Wendell, & Larry's wife, Katie; sisters Dorothy Bartlett, Agnus Daniels, Nell Rodes, and Janie Underwood. Dad was also blessed with 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Dad's hobbies were shopping for the best bargains at grocery stores; checking the newspaper & clipping coupons. He knew the best deal offered by Miller's Ale House, where you could go and get 35 shrimp for $14.99, or Anna Maria Oyster Bar for all the fish you could eat if before 5pm, and Culver's for the child's hamburger and ice cream.

Our dad loved to cook, especially his famous chili, his orange mandarin cake, and special cornbread. He loved tomato toast for breakfast, and peach cobbler.

Dad loved Bingo, card games like Hand & Foot, marbles, and loved Rummikub which he played at least three times a week with his daughter & son-in-law. He loved western movies, Gunsmoke, Walker - Texas Ranger, and singer Daniel O"Donald. Country music was his love, especially Willie's Roadhouse radio station.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022, 11:00AM, at Crosspointe Church of Sarasota, 3550 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL 34243 A Visitation of family & friends will with light refreshments from 12 PM to 1:30 PM. A private entombment for immediate family is scheduled at 2:30..

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory to Seasons of Sharing - Community Foundation of Sarasota at www.CFSarasota.org; St Jude Children's Hospitals at www.stjude.org; or Crosspointe Church at https://www.crosspointe.life/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the HEATH family.