Obituary of Richard "Dick" Heaton

IN LOVING MEMORY OF RICHARD "DICK" HEATON Richard "Dick" Heaton, son of Tom and Gertrude (Graves) Heaton, was born January 26, 1918, in Norton, Kansas, and passed away at the Kay Pogue Hospice Center in Salina, Kansas, on December 7, 2010, at the age of 93. Dick grew up in Norton, graduated from the Norton Community High School in 1936, and graduated from Kansas State University in May of 1941. He joined the Army Signal Corp in 1942, and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1946. Dick married Susan M. Johnson on July 12, 1942, in Potwin, Kansas. They made their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, while Dick was serving during the war. Following his discharge, they made their home in Norton, where Dick returned to work in the family's Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He was known to many of his customers as "The Coke Man." He was also one of the original owners instrumental in starting New Age Industrial Corporation in Norton. Dick and his brothers also owned Norton Pig Company for many years. Dick and Susan moved to Salina, to be near their son and his family, and Dick continued to live there after Susan passed away on November 26, 2008, after 66 years of marriage. Dick was a member of the Norton Christian Church and the Gideon's. Survivors include: his son, Charles "Chuck", and wife, Lana Heaton, Salina; six grandchildren, Tyson, Tanner, Tara, Travis, Tami, and Tucker Heaton; one brother, Warren Heaton, Norton; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Susan, and two brothers, Elmon "Pete" and Robert Heaton. Memorials may be made to Norton Christian Church and to the Gideon's.