Jimmie Neil Heath

Jimmie (Jim) Neil Heath, 84, departed this earth for his heavenly home on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 2, 2022, in Spring, TX. He was born in Mound City, Mo (Holt County) on July 23, 1938, to Harry Herbert Heath and Vergene Grace Wilson Heath. After graduating from Lafayette High School in St. Joseph, Mo in 1956, he and a friend from ROTC joined the Air Force under the buddy program. He served from August 1956 to May 1960. Goose Bay, Labrador was his last location where he served as a fire control (radar) technician (F-89) in the 59th Fighter Squadron. Although he only served for a short time, Jim was proud he had. His patriotism was even more relevant in his later years of life. Jim was a Radio Announcer for over 35 years. He started out on KNEM in the little town of Nevada, MO. After a short stint at KJPW in Waynesville, MO, he returned to his hometown of St. Joseph, MO, and KKJO. Then he was hired in a major market at KIMN in Denver, CO. Proving to be very popular, he also worked in Denver on KHOW, KNUS & KPPL, in Dallas on KAFM, on KULF in Houston, and on KOY in Phoenix. In Seattle with KIRO, he broadcast his show from atop the Space Needle. Adding to his on-air talents, he moved into sales and general management at several stations west of the Mississippi. One of his favorite radio memories was when he arranged for his mom to be seated and have dinner next to Andy Williams, her favorite singer. In 1986, he moved to Lake of the Ozarks as General Manager/Operations Manager/On-Air personality on KRMS/KYLC. This is where he met Becky Tucker who was the Executive Director of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. She stole his heart and they were united in marriage on August 29, 1987, at Harper Chapel United Methodist Church in Osage Beach, MO. As they moved with Jim’s radio career, they lived in Carbondale, CO (Aspen), Lake of the Ozarks and Springfield, MO, and Valparaiso, IN, and later relocated to various cities in Texas to be closer to family. Jim and Becky sold their sticks and bricks home in Houston in 2009 and bought a motor home to enjoy traveling the US. Jim especially enjoyed reconnecting with former radio and air force friends across the country. Jim served as MC of many events and public functions and was active in the communities he lived and worked belonging to many service clubs. He sang in the church choir and solos at church, in Barbershop Groups (SPEBSQSA), and in Indiana with a gospel quartet called the “Histones”. In his earlier years, he also enjoyed snow skiing, scuba diving, and flying (he had his private pilot's license). Jim is survived by his wife of 35 years Rebecca May Tucker Heath; daughter: Gina Michelle Heath Miller & husband Kevin of McKinney, TX, son: Michael Gene Heath & wife Niki of Houston, TX; 5 grandchildren: Michael Austin Heath & wife Morgan of Tempe, AZ, Madison Nicole Heath, Travis Marshall Heath & wife Amanda of Houston, TX, Heath Dwayne Miller & Hayden Connor Miller of McKinney, TX. Brother Thomas (Tom) Wilson Heath (Sam) of Wathena, KS. Numerous nieces & nephews along with Becky’s niece Estella Renee Hansberry. Preceding him in death are his parents, father-in-law – Henry Clay Tucker, Eldon, MO. One brother Richard A. “Dick” Heath of St. Joseph, MO, & wife Phyliss. Sister-in-law – Glenda Kay Nowell, Eldon, MO. He was a member of Champion Forest Baptist Church since 2006. Besides loving the Lord Jim loved his family deeply and enjoyed spending time with them. Per his wishes, his body was cremated, and a Memorial Service/Celebration of Life will be held at Champion Forest Baptist Church, 15555 Stuebner Airline Rd, Houston, TX 77069 (enter by the chapel) at 2 pm on Saturday, September 17 with Jim’s grandson Travis Heath officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Jim’s memory to: Harvesters Reaching the Nations 2001 W Plano Pkwy #3432, Plano, TX 75075. FLOWERS MUST BE SENT TO THE CHURCH.

Jimmie Neil Heath

July 23, 1938 - August 2, 2022