Leroy Anthony Heath Captain USN Ret. age 80 passed away peacefully at his home in Ormond Beach on Friday February 21 2003. Born in Detroit Michigan on November 20 1922 Leroy was the son of Leroy and Catherine Heath and the eldest of their seven children. After graduation from high school he entered the United States Navy as an aviation cadet in the V-5 program. He was designated a Naval Aviator and commissioned as an Ensign USNR in July 1944. He transferred to the Regular Navy following a Pacific area combat tour as an F4U Corsair pilot flying from the USS Lexington CV-16. Later sea duty included tours in fighter anti-submarine and heavy attack squadrons. In 1962 he served as C.O. Heavy Attack Squadron Seven VAH-7 flying A-5A Vigilantes from the USS Enterprise CVAN-65.

His shipboard tours included duty as Operations Officer USS Independence CVA-62 and C.O. USS Cambria LPA-36. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal with Gold Star and Presidential Unit Citation.

He is a graduate of the Navy Test Pilot School Class 9 and served two tours as a Service Test Division project officer Naval Air Test Center NAS Patuxent River Maryland. On December 13 1960 he established the World Altitude Record for jet aircraft carrying a 1000 kg load to 91 450.8 feet in the A3J later called the A5A twinjet Mach 2 Vigilante airplane.

Prior to retiring in 1972 his last tour was as Air 05A Executive Director Material Acquisitions Group Naval Air Systems Command Washington D.C.

Captain Heath obtained a B.A. and M.A. in education from the University of Central Florida. From 1976 to 1985 he was an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Florida.

Leroy?s loves were his wife family country good food good wine good music good stories sailing and dancing. His gregarious and magnetic personality enriched those who knew and loved him. Laughter and love were the order of the day. In our eyes he was our hero teacher entertainer motivator supporter dreamer and Rock of Gibraltar. Leroy was also our husband brother uncle grandpa and most of all our Daddy Leroy. He will be profoundly missed.

His loving wife Tamara Heath survives him. Leroy is preceded in death by Mary Helen and survived by his children Gregory Heath Kristin Heath-Hightower Teresa John Mary Joe Heath Patricia Willey Michael Heath and Elizabeth Burns and his grandchildren Margaret Caroline Elizabeth Joshua Kara Cyriak Helena Timothy Gregory Chase and great grandchildren Emma and Fiona.

Leroy is also preceded by his granddaughter Catherine Booker and brothers Joseph and Chuck Heath. He is survived by his brothers Jerry and Michael Heath and sisters Marie Beard and Anne Cook. Leroy is uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are under the careful direction of Ormond Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be sent via the family guestbook at www.ormondfuneralhome.com.