For Jeff Heath, the crash changed the course of his life in ways he could never have imagined. A 19-year-old Marshall sophomore at the time, Heath lost both of his parents, Emmett O. Heath and Elaine Lois Heath, who were among the 25 fans and supporters aboard the flight. He also lost his godparents, Dr. Herbert Proctor and Courtney Proctor, who had offered to care for him and his siblings if anything ever happened to their parents.
Suddenly, the young college student found himself in a very different role — becoming the head of his family and helping raise his younger brother and sisters. On Saturday, Nov. 14, Heath will return to Marshall to share his story and reflect on the people who helped his family navigate life after the tragedy.
While his grandparents initially tried to help, much of the support came from the Huntington community. Tim Perry, then-president of Guaranty National Bank, which served as executor of the estate, became a particularly important figure in the children’s lives, developing a close, father-figure relationship with Jeff and his siblings.
“My grandparents tried to assist us, but they realized they were no match for four teenage kids,” said Heath. “It takes a village to raise a child, and we were definitely raised by the city of Huntington, along with all of our friends and neighbors — and anybody else who threw a helping hand to us.”
Heath’s future wife, Sally, whom he met while attending Marshall, had met his parents just once before the crash. The couple married in 1975, and Sally became an important part of the family, stepping into a motherly role for Jeff’s younger siblings. Today, his brother Kevin and sister Holly still call Huntington home.
Heath went on to earn both his bachelor’s degree in management in 1973 and his master’s degree in political science in 1975 from Marshall. Although his parents were not there to see those milestones, or many of the other moments in life that followed, he said their absence is something that has stayed with him.
“My parents were 42 when they died, and they missed a lot of life,” said Heath. “I’m 75 right now. Thirty-three years that I’ve enjoyed after 42 have been a great deal.”
As he looks back more than five decades later, Heath recognizes the many people who helped his family through an unimaginable loss and the lasting connection he and his siblings have to Huntington and Marshall University.
The Memorial Fountain Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, on the Memorial Student Center Plaza. The event begins at 10 a.m. Members of the public are invited to attend in person or view a livestream of the event by clicking here. Media are invited and encouraged to attend.
Marshall will also host Appalachian State that evening at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
For more information about the Marshall University plane crash, visit www.marshall.edu/neverforget.