Carl Vernon Heath, Sr. passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 31, 2021. In his last moments, loved ones surrounded him as he left this world for heaven. Carl was born in Columbia, MO on January 15, 1949 to Jewell Marie Heath and Vernon Alonzo Heath, and was raised in Rocheport, MO. Carl was married to Debbie for 44 years, and had seven children.

Until his retirement in December 2018, Carl owned Heath Tree Service in Independence, MO. Carl loved using the resources of his business to help the community. One of his greatest accomplishments he was most proud of from his career was the work his crews did to complete on the Waterfall Park in Independence, MO; they cleared trees to make the walking trails possible.

After retiring and selling his tree business, staying home and relaxing just was not in the cards for Carl; he missed interacting with people on a daily basis. He always enjoyed talking with the greeters at Walmart, and decided that was how he was going to fill his time. He would often share stories about his Walmart coworkers; it was evident how much he enjoyed their friendships and how these friends helped fill his void of social life in retirement.

Carl enjoyed being involved in different organizations in the community. He was a member of the Optimist Club of Independence (where he could often be found playing cards with other club members), and for many decades was active in The Boys Scouts of America (earning his Eagle Scout, and helping his sons earn the same honor, too). Carl also served in the United States Air Force in 1972 -1973, with an honorable medical discharge.

Carl is preceded in death by his parents: Jewell and Vernon Heath, siblings: Melvin, Virginia, Nadine, and Steve. Carl is survived by his seven children: Candace Martin (Chris), Jackie Frost (Rich), Mathea Olney, Carl Heath Jr., ShyLynn Heath, Bradley Heath, and Nikolas Heath; several grandchildren, one great-grandchild, his siblings: Raymond, Bobby, Betty, Jimmy, Wayne, and Phil.

Carl loved to host barbeque events where everyone he knew was invited; we feel the best way we can honor him is by hosting a BIG Carl sized barbeque later this summer. We are choosing to have his celebration of life later this year; we simply could never forgive ourselves if we gathered everyone together for services right now and somebody ended up getting sick with the very virus that took him from us.

Carl’s final resting place will be at Locust Grove Cemetery in Midway, MO with his parents and siblings