Jack Allen

Jack Allen Heaton passed away on November 18, 2024, in the Tri-Cities at the age of 82.

Jack was born in Boise, Idaho on May 11, 1942, to Perry and Marie Heaton and after a few years the family relocated to begin farming in Hay, Wash. Jack attended school in Lacrosse, Wash., and worked for the family farm and for various local farmers. In 1963 Jack married the love of his life, Gayle Repp from Colfax, Wash., to which they were married 61 years and lived their retired years in Richland, Wash. At this same time, Jack joined the Local 370/302 Operating Engineers Union working heavy construction for Guy F. Atkinson for nearly 35 years on projects including the Little Goose and Lower Granite dams, nuclear plants at Hanford, and he ended his career as master mechanic on bridge, interstate, and tunnel jobs in Seattle area retiring in 1997.

Throughout Jacks life he loved taking things apart and fixing them. Jack was truly a "jack of all trades" being known by his family, friends, and neighbors as being able to fix anything and actually making it better then when it was new. Jack liked things down right, tidy, timely and looking good both mechanically and in appearance. Through the years, Jack enjoyed snowmobiling, snow-skiing with the family and watching his boys and grandkids work on projects. Jack also enjoyed traveling with Gayle throughout the west and southwest in their motorhome much of the time traveling together with Gayle's sister and husband, Stan and Carol Schmick. To his sons, grandchildren, family and friends, Jack was a hero and at times referred to as a legend and a "one of a kind".

Jack is survived by his wife, Gayle Heaton; their two children, Kirk Heaton (Shawna) and Kevin Heaton (Jill); and was very proud of his five grandchildren, Gage Heaton (Shayla), Morgan Biddle (Joe), Michael Heaton (Bri), Lane Heaton (Alli) and Wade Heaton (girlfriend Grace). He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and surviving family members, brother Blake Heaton (Carmen), sisters Jill Pierson, Claudia Yarbrough/Kempton (Dave) and Lisa Beckley (Greg) and many nephews and nieces. Jack was proceeded in death by his parents Perry and Marie Heaton; brothers Terry and Jeff Heaton; and brother-in-laws Stan Yarbrough and Robby Pierson.

There will be a celebration of life at the Lacrosse Community Center on Saturday January 25, from 1-4 p.m. with light lunch and beverage.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Lacrosse Community Center, or the Dusty or Lacrosse cemetery.