Israel C Heaton

Israel C. Heaton, age 96, passed away Sept. 29, 2008 in Provo, Utah. He was born Feb. 23, 1912 in Moccasin, Arizona, the sixth of ten children, to Israel Hoyt and Charlotte Cox Heaton. He grew up in Kanab, Utah. While spending time herding sheep, he carved his initials in over 1,300 trees. He enjoyed physical activity and music throughout his life. He took pleasure playing the trumpet and guitar.
He received his bachelors and masters degrees from Utah State Agricultural College and his doctorate of education from Indiana University. While teaching 5th and 6th grade serving as principal in Vernal, Utah, earning $650 annually, he met Arline Hardy. They were married Aug. 17, 1939 in the Salt Lake Temple.
He served in the Air Force in World War II and received a direct commission as a second lieutenant.
Pres. Ernest Wilkinson brought Israel to BYU to organize the Recreation Dept. in 1957. He was known as the Father of Community Education west of the Mississippi.
During this time, four Native American foster daughters became members of the family as part of the Indian Placement Program.
After retiring, Israel and Arline served three missions for the LDS Church together in the Hyde Park Visitors Center in London, England, in Baton Rouge, LA and in the Oak Hills Stake in Provo, UT. He loved serving at the MTC and in the Provo Temple. He developed a love of swimming and swam a mile on his birthday each year from age 65 to 95, except when serving full-time missions.
Survived by his wife, Arline, his children Cathy (Jim) Blaisdell, Valarie (Wade) Davis, Richard (Valerie) Heaton, Lorie (Greg) Burningham, Robert (Lynda) Heaton, 38 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and his only living sibling, LeRoy (Esther) Heaton. Preceded in death by his parents, nine siblings, daughter Vickie (Vance) Randall, and grandson Curtis (Amy) Randall.
Thank you to those who gave loving care from Alpine Hospice.
There will be a viewing Sunday, October 5 from 6-8 p.m. at the Oak Hills 1st Ward located at 1038 North 1200 East, Provo, Utah. Funeral Services will be Monday, October 6 in the same building with a viewing beginning at 10:30 a.m. and services starting at 12:00 p.m. Interment: Provo City Cemetery.