RICHARD HEYS

Richard Heys, 98, passed peacefully at his residence in Cobb County, on Friday, May 18, 2012.

"Dick" was born in Haslingden, England on Nov. 7, 1913, son of naturalized American citizens, Bertha and Richard Heys.

He arrived in the United States with his mother on the Lusitania in January 1915. He was raised in Fall River, Mass., and graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School. At age 17, Dick got an appointment as assistant messenger with the federal government in Washington, D.C. He retired as Director of Procurement for the Internal Revenue Service, after 40 years of government service. After retiring he moved to Duluth, where he resided over 30 years. Dick and Anne moved to Georgia in 2006 to be near their daughter, Barbara.

During World War II, he served with the United States Marine Reserves.

Dick was a member of the Toastmasters and taught Red Cross first aid classes. Dick was known for his sense of humor, loved to tell stories and was an excellent communicator. He was an avid "ham radio" operator with contacts around the world. Dick and Anne enjoyed camping, boating, and attended over 30 Elderhostels. Dick was a talented "do-it-yourself" person, and there was no project too large for him to undertake. He constructed a beautiful, cute, out-building/barn single handed. Always wanting to fly, after retirement, he got his private pilot license. Dick and Anne traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad. He was a positive influence on all those he met and will be greatly missed by all his family and many friends.

He was preceded in death, by his parents; brothers, Harold, Ellis, John, Stanley and sister, Bertha Heys Bartlett.

He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Anne Valencia Heys, originally of Duluth. He was the loving and devoted father of two daughters, Barbara Anne Heys Blue, and Gay Belle Heys Tobia; six grandchildren Anne Marie Blue Stakes, David Blue, Jr., Russell Blue, Andrew Blue, Michelle Tobia and Michael Tobia; nine great grandchild children John Kelley, Joshua, Benjamin, and Brittany Blue, Jordan and Reilley Blue, Emily and Hannah Blue, Nathaniel Blue; niece Carol Hotchkiss, nephews, Neil Nyberg and Ronald Johnson.

MEMORIAL SERVICES: will be private.

Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Georgia 404- 355-7627

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