Patrick Michael Heaton, Sr.

Patrick Michael Heaton, Sr., 67, of Johnson City, passed away Saturday, August 18, 2018, at Holston Valley Medical Center after a lifelong battle with juvenile diabetes. Despite his health struggles, Pat remained upbeat and passionate about life and always had a smile for everyone. ?He didn?t live like his ?glass? was half-full,' says his wife, Karen, ?instead, his ?glass? was always overflowing.' Pat was born in Tripoli, Libya, to Colleen and Pat Heaton. During his father?s military career, he spent his childhood in numerous cities, but always considered Savannah, Georgia, his hometown. He graduated from Wagner High School at Clark Air Base in the Philippines in 1969. The family then moved to Johnson City, where Pat attended East Tennessee State University and earned a B.S. in Education and History in 1975. He began his career as a teacher at University High in Johnson City. Pat was later employed and retired from the Kroger Co. in Johnson City. Pat?s greatest joy in life was his role as ?PaPat,' as he was known to his grandchildren, as well as to the neighborhood children. He doted on his grandchildren, Kirsten and Connor Heaton, and was very involved in their lives. He was looking forward to being ?PaPat' to his new granddaughter, Harper, due in January. Pat was an avid Cubs and University of Georgia fan. He loved reading and working challenging crossword puzzles. He was passionate about cooking, especially when he hosted family gatherings at Thanksgiving, Christmas and for other occasions. As others will attest, Pat was an encourager and supporter of others and important causes, but kept his contributions under the radar and preferred no recognition. He was instrumental in fundraising to help build the current playground at Southside Elementary School in the late 1990s when the old school was destroyed, and the commemorative bricks were sold to raise money for the new playground. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Colleen and Pat Heaton, his sister, Debra Heaton, and his brother Mark Heaton. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 40 years, Karen Garrison Heaton; his children Michael (Nickie) Heaton II of Johnson City, Ryne (Stacey) Heaton of Burnsville, North Carolina; and his grandchildren Kirsten and Connor Heaton of Johnson City. He also leaves behind his sister Beth Markland of Johnson City, brother Eric (Debbie) Heaton of Elizabethton, his Uncle Fred and Aunt Mindy Bogart of Wilmington, North Carolina, nephew Robert Markland and niece Brittany (?Baby B') Heaton. He will continue to hold a treasured place in the hearts of devoted lifelong friends Albert ?Bert' Remler and his sisters, originally of Savannah, Georgia. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 p.m. at Morris-Baker Funeral Home in Johnson City. The family will receive guests at the home following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10004, in an effort to combat the disease that Pat fought bravely all his life.