“Sonny” Heaton, Jr.

“Sonny” Tony Lewis Heaton, Jr., 53 of Corpus Christi passed away suddenly on October 21, 2013 after a brief illness. Sonny was born on July 22, 1960 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He graduated from Flour Bluff High School and attended Texas A & I University, Kingsville. He then joined his parents in business at Heaton Cotton Company. Later he worked with High Plains Bagging Company. Recently, he went on to form Heaton Ag Services. He was an active member for many years in the Nueces County Jr. Livestock Show and Sale to include being Superintendent of the Goat Committee from 2004 to 2010. Sonny always supported the children of the community. For many years he played Santa for the Wood River community, judge for the local swim team, coached his children’ s sports and was a part of booster clubs for all activities his children were involved in. He was also an active member of the Texas Cotton Ginners Association. Some of his favorite pastimes also included hunting and fishing with his family and friends. Sonny loved to cook and cater for his family and his friends. He cooked competitively with Gary Criswell on their team, Burning Memories. They won many awards over the years to include Buc Days Overall Champion in 2007. He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly Houghton Heaton. Sonny is survived by and will be greatly missed by his four children, Kari, Krista, Kaycee, and Kirby; his parents, Tony and Erma Heaton; sister, Becky Heaton Payne and husband Cecil; and his loving companion and best friend, Ann Huddelston. He is also survived by his in laws Benny and Joyce Houghton; brother and sister-in-law, Randy and Gayle Houghton along with numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sawyer George Funeral Home on Thursday, October 24, 2013. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2013 at Grace United Methodist Church with The Rev. Stan Whites officiating. Entombment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery at 4607 FM 1889, Robstown, Texas. Pallbearers will be Gary Criswell, Calvin Kidwell, Sam Keach, Bruce Franklin, Ben Otahal, Sam Colella, Hayden Franklin, and David Downing. The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and staff at Spohn Shoreline Hospital for their special care they gave to him and his family. A special thanks to Dr. Emille Salloum and Dr. Maggy Muniz for all the love and special care they provided. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made in Sonny’s honor at The Cancer Research Institute at www.cancerresearch.org. When contributing please donate under Sonny Heaton with the recipient e-mail as [email protected]