Henry Edmund Heath, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away January 19, 2025, at the age of 89. Warm and friendly, with a quick sense of humor, Henry made friends easily wherever he went. A natural leader with a strong work ethic and an eye toward service, Henry made a lasting positive impact in his family, church and community.
Henry was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 16, 1936, to Harold and Susannah (Mitchell) Heath. Born during the Great Depression, he was the youngest of eight boys and grew up idolizing his older brothers. The family moved from Holladay to Kaysville at the beginning of World War II. Money was scarce, and everyone had to work. Henry had chores at home and jobs around his rural community from a very tender age. He valued the self-discipline and perseverance he gained from these experiences and used this to fuel future success. In his free time, Henry loved playing football or baseball with his brothers and with the boys in his neighborhood, many of whom remained close friends throughout his entire life.
When Henry was 15, his father died unexpectedly, and his family moved back to Salt Lake City. While he found it very difficult to go to a new high school, he had the opportunity to be a part of an excellent debate program, which opened the door to his future career. He discovered he had a keen memory and a gift for logic and persuasion. Also because of his father’s death, his uncle lined him up for a summer job at Zion Lodge in Zion National Park. He worked there for four summers, gaining valuable experiences, developing leadership skills and falling in love with beautiful Southern Utah. Perhaps most importantly, during this difficult period of his life he felt the gift of Divine Providence turning adversity into opportunities to learn and grow.
Following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Henry served a mission to Australia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also served in the Naval Reserves. Henry attended the University of Utah on a debate scholarship. While there, his friends introduced him to a vivacious home economics student named Joy Collier, who soon became the love of his life. They were married and she taught school while he completed his law degree.
Family was very important to Henry, and he was a devoted husband and father. He took a special interest in each of his five children. They knew he had high expectations for their behavior and effort, but he also made each one feel valued and loved. He was tender-hearted and approachable and had a way of making things fun. He built bookshelves, play equipment, doll furniture and pinewood derby cars for them. He fostered their hobbies and talents, attended their games and performances, and coached their basketball and baseball teams. He took them camping, fishing, hunting and skiing, as well as to sporting events and symphonies. He took an interest in their education, drilled them on math facts and spelling words, proofread their essays and was generous with praise.
Henry was dignified in professional settings, but at home he was often playful and silly, much to his children’s delight. He loved music, especially performed by his family members. He was very modest about his own musical abilities, but he often serenaded his family cheerfully as he entered a room. He loved to plan family vacations and take road trips together. Henry adored Joy and sang her praises. He was proud of his pioneer heritage and loved to share stories about his ancestors. He was deeply patriotic and felt the sacrifice of seeing his brothers go off to war. He stayed close to his brothers and their families, and organized many fun and memorable family reunions, helping the next generation to get to know their cousins better and appreciate their legacy.
Henry’s legal career began in the Davis district attorney’s office. From there he joined the firm Bean, Smedly and Bean. He believed that competent, prepared representation is an essential part of our justice system. After a trial in which the opposing counsel was Glen Hanni, Hanni soon invited Henry to join his firm. He rose quickly to be a partner at Strong and Hanni, where he practiced for more than 40 years. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the Defense Research Institute. His integrity and skill were recognized with an “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest designation for professional competence and ethics.
Henry found many opportunities to serve in the church and community. A strong supporter of education, he served on the Davis County School Board and as President of the Davis Area Technical Center Board (now the Davis Technical College.) He was always ready to comfort and encourage friends who were ill. He especially loved working with the youth and serving with Joy in the California Carlsbad Mission and in the temple.
Henry loved people deeply and cherished the relationships he made throughout his life. He was cheerful and optimistic and believed that, with faith in Jesus Christ and persistent work, the future was always full of hope. His life truly exemplified one of his favorite exhortations: “Onward and upward!”
Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Joy Collier Heath, and is survived by sons John (Sharalyn), Morgan (Amy), and Mitch (Gwen), and daughters Heidi (Anthony) Thompson, and Holly (Jacob) Draper, as well as eighteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with one more on the way.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Grove Creek Assisted Living in Lindon, Utah, and Rocky Mountain Hospice, who cared for Henry during the past few months, as well as the many ward members and friends who blessed his life with their kindness.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 7, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kaysville 10th Ward, 1039 E. Crestwood Rd, Kaysville, Utah. The family will meet with friends on Thursday, February 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 N. Main, Kaysville, Utah, and Friday at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. before the funeral. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Funeral services will be live-streamed by going to www.lindquistmortuary.com and scrolling to the bottom of Henry’s obituary page the day of his service.
Thursday, February 6, 2025
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Mountain time)
Lindquist's Kaysville Mortuary
Friday, February 7, 2025
9:30 - 10:30 am (Mountain time)
Kaysville 10th Ward
Friday, February 7, 2025
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Mountain time)
Kaysville 10th Ward
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