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ASU Hall of Famer Verl Heap Passes Away At 84


Heap played basketball for Arizona State in 1943 and 1946-48

Jan. 2, 2009

Parley Verl Heap , 84, of St. Johns, Ariz, died peacefully at his home on December 24, 2008.

He was born September 6, 1924, in St. Johns, to Parley and Leona Heap. Verl loved outdoor activities and was a life-long farmer and rancher. After high school he went to ASU on a basketball scholarship. After one year he enlisted in the Air Force and served his country as a B17 pilot. While in the service, he married Dawn Sherwood, also from St. Johns. After the war, they returned to ASU, where he resumed his education and basketball career.

After a short career as a professional basketball player, he decided to return to Arizona to raise a family. He spent a short time back at ASU as an assistant coach and then two years at Duncan High School. He then returned to St. Johns where he again took up farming/ranching and coached and taught school for 35 years. He was an active and devoted member of The LDS church, a devoted husband and father, friend and neighbor and he loved and supported his family with all his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents Parley and Leona Heap, a sister Peggy and his oldest son Gary. Survivors include: His wife of 63 years, Dawn Sherwood Heap; daughters, LeAnn Proctor and Eileen Lindsey; sons, Jimmy and Roger Heap; brothers, Theo and Ronald Heap; sisters, Mary Ellen Webb and Lakay Grant; 18 grand children, and 17 great grand children.

Funeral services will be held on January 3, at 11 a.m. with a viewing one hour before at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Down Town Chapel, in St. Johns. There is also a viewing at Burnham Mortuary in St. Johns on Friday, January 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Johns High School Basketball.

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