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Samuel “Sam” Ray Heaton, 64, of Roan Mountain, Tenn., passed away on Monday, April 25, 2022, in Roan Mountain. Sam was born in Elizabethton to the late Bobby Ray Heaton and Mary Roberta Winters Strickland.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, John Strickland.
Sam was an employee of Snap-on Tools of Elizabethton for 16 years and was a very hard worker. Above all he cherished his family and was a caring and wonderful father, laid back and very intelligent. Sam was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed listening to ’70s rock music with his daughter and watching Richard Petty during his NASCAR career, Dallas Cowboys and watching wrestling with his son.
Those left to cherish Sam’s memory include his wife of 25 years, Sharon (Ward) Heaton, of the home; his beloved children, Emily and Evan Heaton, both of Roan Mountain; and two brothers, Steve Heaton of Roan Mountain and Andrew (Amanda) Strickland of Elk Park, N.C.
A service to celebrate and honor the life of Samuel “Sam” Ray Heaton will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the Rhododendron Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain, with Pastor Tull Oaks and Pastor Chris Hitechew officiating. Chris McKinney will provide a song. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service. The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Justin Jordan, Hayden Roberson, Zane Ward, Darrell Birchfield, Steve Heaton and Andrew Strickland. Troy Ward will serve as honorary pallbearer. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the American Cancer Society, 861 Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, TN 37909. The family would like to express a special thank you to Sam’s friends and neighbors, specifically Johnny Ledford and his co-workers at Snap-on Tools, employees from McDonald’s in Hampton and all the First Responders that assisted with Sam’s care. Words of comfort can be sent to the family through our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Rhododendron Chapel , Roan Mountain, TN (423) 772-3928 is honored to serve the family of Samuel “Sam” Ray Heaton.