Peter J. Heron

Peter J. Heron, age 65 of Fairborn, OH passed away Friday, August 24, 2018 with his wife and two sons at his side. He was born April 12, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan to Frank and Deloris (Scamihorn) Heron. Pete married Tammy (Fideler) Stapp on November 10, 1998 in Fairborn, OH.

Pete, born, raised, and educated in Michigan (which he fondly referred to as "God's Country") attended college at the University of Detroit, where he excelled at Canoeing class and managed to graduate Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Political Science. During his younger days, he worked as a paper boy (even during the 1967 Detroit riot), as a caddy, and on an assembly line for Chrysler.

After college, Pete moved from Detroit to Battle Creek MI, where he started a long and very successful career in Civil Service with the United States Air Force. Eventually moving to Ohio, he served in multiple roles for the Air Force Security Assistance Center (AFSAC) and retired as Program Manager after 35 years. His positions required extensive travel to various parts of the globe, most notably in Latin America. Whether riding in an armored SUV through Colombia in the early '90s to dancing with sword-wielding Saudis in the desert, Pete had an incredible professional life, earning numerous accolades and enjoying the camaraderie and respect of so many colleagues and friends. After several years of retirement, he went back to work part time as a contractor with AFSAC. He enjoyed the AFSAC monthly retiree luncheons as well as the quarterly luncheons with his fellow "old geezers" (as his wife liked to call them).

Pete played tennis and golf when he was younger and he loved to fish, later sharing his love of fishing with his youngest son and his granddaughter who affectionately knew him as "Poppy". He was an avid Red Wings fan as he was frequently known to yell out "SCORE" several times each night as he watched them play. The family was happy he wasn't a basketball fan. He loved to play poker, often gathering with friends for Texas Hold'em tournaments. He also enjoyed horse racing, showing some skill in handicapping turf races. Pete was known to love nature. He paid attention to all the wildlife around the neighborhood (the Beavercreek Wetlands) and he enjoyed a good Cohiba cigar with his oldest son from time to time.

Pete loved his family. He was a humorous, quick-witted, good-natured, and strong man who knew how to be a loving husband, a patient dad, a wise and caring brother, and a fun-loving grandfather (Poppy). Any room he was in was a better one for having him in it.

Pete is survived by his wife of 20 years, Tammy; two sons, Kenny (Stephanie) Stapp and David (Amanda) Stapp; three grandchildren, Carleigh and Brantley, and one on the way; a sister, Cathy Heron, and numerous family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Charles "Chucky" Heron.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions – Beavercreek Chapel, 3380 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek, Ohio 45432. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow the services at Fairfield Cemetery, Fairborn, OH.

Donations may be made to Cancer Research Institute, 29 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10006-3111 in Peter's memory.

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