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Milton Heath
Milton Eugene Heath
Oct. 28, 1934 – Nov. 12, 2021
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Milton was born in Aromas, California, to Marion (Bud) Heath and Ava Del Sell.
Milton passed away peacefully in his home on Nov. 12. His death is preceded by his parents; his brother, Maskey Heath; his first wife, Carolyn; his second wife, Ellen; and a granddaughter, Ambra Heath.
One could always pick Milton out of a crowd because of his cowboy hat, boots, belt buckles and big smile. He had a genuine love for life and enjoyed sharing it with family and being the patriarch of multiple family businesses.
Milton’s friends knew him as a great negotiator, a shrewd businessman and a guy who loved to have fun. They also might tell you that he was honest to a fault. Even when Milton was running multiple businesses at the same time, he was traveling, going wine tasting, dancing, playing pool or trying that next great restaurant.
Milton was a successful entrepreneur, becoming involved in several different businesses over his lifetime including owning Superior Propane in Lakeport with his dad Bud, Heath and Heath Vineyards (later called Nova Vineyards), UCC Rentals, Superior Propane, Nevada City (there were three different Superior Propanes spanning more than 60 years and counting), Novavine and United Pacific Energy.
Milton’s first big success was Superior Propane in Nevada City, California. In 1966 he started the company with a pickup truck, a few propane tanks and a shared office.
Later, Milton invited his brother Maskey to be his partner and the company grew to seven branches with more than 17,000 customers. They sold the business in 1995 and Milton used the proceeds to start two new companies, Superior Propane based in Williams, Arizona, and Novavine, a grapevine nursery in Santa Rosa, California.
Beyond family and business, Milton cared about the community. He was actively involved in the Mason-Shriner-Scottish Rite, Lakeport Elks Lodge #2704, Lakeport Rotary Club/Guerneville Rotary Club (President 1995-1996), Philosophers Club of Lake County, the Gourmet Club of Lake County, The Cotillion Dance Club, The West Point Parents Club of Northern California, the Lake County Republican Central Committee and was a Lifetime member of the NRA. He was a true patriot and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
Milton is survived by his children: Larry Heath (Donna), Lakeport, California; Lindie Rodgers (Bill), Williams, Arizona; Lonny Heath (Stacey), Anderson, Missouri; Jay Jensen, Santa Rosa, California, and Jill Jensen, Lakeport; by 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Milton also leaves behind his significant other for the past seven years, Priscilla Lipscomb, and her three daughters, Teresa Jackson (Joe), Kimberly Norton (Chuck) and Janice Hicks.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 1 p.m. at Milton’s home, 16855 Black Oak Hill Drive, Middletown, CA 95461.
The family suggest memorials to: Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or visit http://lovetotherescue.org.
