South Alabamian

James Robert Heath


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James “Jim” Robert Heath, a long-time resident of Saraland, passed away on May 19, 2023 following a brief illness.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Heath and Virginia Daniel Heath, and nephew, Gary Heath.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Debra Rehm Heath; four children, Duane (Melissa) Heath, Angie Heath Woodall (Scott), Daniel (Am) Heath and Harrison Hawke (Elizabeth); his 10 grandchildren, Adrian Woodall (Ashley), Megan Woodall, Addie Heath, Emmie Heath, Andie Heath, Evie Heath, Wyatt Heath, Anne Helen Hawke, Harris Hawke and William Hawke. Jim is also survived by his twin brother, Don (Yvette) of Hoover and brother, Joe, of Greenville, and sister, Sara Heath Shaw (Joe) of Trussville, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was born in Birmingham on Oct. 17, 1950 and was a graduate of Banks High School Class of 1969. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Forestry in 1973 and started his career working for the State of Alabama as a county forester in Jefferson County. In 1976, Jim went to work for Gulf Lumber Company in Mobile as timber procurement forester and eventually became the manager of the department.

In 2009, Gulf Lumber Company and Scotch Lumber Company merged to become Scotch Gulf Lumber Company with mills in Fulton, Jackson and Mobile. Jim was responsible for the timber procurement for the three mills and kept this position when Scotch Gulf Lumber Company was acquired by Canfor in 2013. He was an integral part of the growth and success of this once family-owned business for 45 years and maintained a proud record and reputation in the industry his entire career. He was a mentor and father figure to many young foresters and a trusted friend to all in the business over the span of his career. Jim retired in December 2022 and then established Celeste Forestry Services LLC and continued to do what he loved with passion and professionalism.

Jim was an avid wild turkey hunter and had long yearned to bag all four subspecies of wild turkeys in the US – successfully doing so with the Eastern, Osceola and Merriam, but falling short in bagging the Rio as his health began to fail. All who knew and loved Jim stand firm today in the belief he will finalize his quest in God’s most perfect hunting spot.

Jim was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Mobile where the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, May 24 at 1 p.m. The family received friends at the church prior to the service beginning at 11:30 a.m. Internment followed at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Celeste Road.

Active pallbearers included Vaughn Stough, Joe Norton, Fred Stimpson, Ben Stimpson, George Thompson, Ryan Mattei, Casey Powell and Dustin Phillips.

With Jim’s many years of singing in the choirs of various churches in Birmingham, Jackson and Mobile using the talent God gifted him, the family asks you make a donation to the St. Pius X Catholic Church (Mobile, AL) new organ fund – 217 South Sage Avenue, Mobile, AL 36606. Arrangements are by Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 9700 Celeste Road, Saraland, AL 36571.

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