Eugene A. Heath, 74, of Jacksonville, entered the sunset of life on Monday, October 24, 2016 at St. Vincent's Medical Center-Clay County, Middleburg. The oldest child of Curtis E. and Georgia Mae (Tanner) Heath, Eugene was born on Thursday, June 11, 1942 in Morristown, NJ. In the winter of 1956, the Heath family relocated to Montclair, NJ. He was educated in the Union County, NJ School District. He was a 1961 graduate of Plainfield High School and pursued a Criminal Law degree at Wayne University, Omaha, Nebraska. He subsequently enlisted in the U. S. Army serving as a Military Policeman (stationed in Germany). After earning an honorable discharge, he became a Police Training Instructor at Job Corps in New Jersey; also served as the Deputy Chief Police at Martland Medical Center, Newark, NJ; Court Liaison Officer, New Jersey Municipal Court; Pre-trial Release Officer, Alachua County (Gainesville, FL) Criminal Justice Department; Jacksonville TIP Program Administrator-Truancy Interdiction Program; Office of Juvenile Justice and Offender-Based Programs; Duval County School District. He was formerly affiliated with Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and Armor of Faith Christian Center, Inc., of Jacksonville. Although Gene officially retired in 2006, he served as a youth and family advocate with Edward Waters College, Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center. In 2007, while pursuing avenues to reduce recidivism, he combined his passion for education and entrepreneurship by instituting Advanced Industrial Laundry, Inc. Additionally, "Gene" wrote and directed an award winning play "Choices" depicting the lives of eight youth facing "choices" that would impact the rest of their lives. "Gene" recently completed his soon to be released novel, "The Return of the Shepherd."

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in eternal rest by his son, Samuel Roberts; sister, Renae D. Gilliam; aunt, Bessie R. Tanner; mother in law, Deaconess Minnie McCall; brother-in-law, Nee-Paul Wilson.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his beloved "Proverbs 31" bride of 37 years, Marie Roberts-Heath; two sons, Jean Paul (Utophias) Heath, Larry (Rachel) Jackson; one daughter, Cassandra (Kenneth) Bray; devoted sister, Tanya P. Wilson; 11 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Memorial Celebration with Military Honors: 11 a.m., Saturday, November 5; Edward Waters College, Milne Auditorium, 1658 Kings Road, Jacksonville; Rev. Craig S. Campbell, presiding and Rev. Karl N. Flagg, eulogist. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Eugene Heath Memorial Tribute, c/o Edward Waters College, Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center, 1697 New Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL., 32209.