To many, Mesa man, 87 remains a faithful ‘father’

[Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Carl Heath

Carl Heath visits the children at Sun Shine Acres, Tuesday, June 13, 2012 in Mesa. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Mike Sakal

Mike Sakal’s column runs on Fridays. Contact him at (480) 898-6533 or msakal@evtrib.com, or write to Mike Sakal, East Valley Tribune, 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282

[Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Carl Heath

Carl Heath visits the children at Sun Shine Acres, Tuesday, June 13, 2012 in Mesa. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

[Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Carl Heath

Carl Heath visits the children at Sun Shine Acres, Tuesday, June 13, 2012 in Mesa. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

[Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Carl Heath

Carl Heath visits the children at Sun Shine Acres, Tuesday, June 13, 2012 in Mesa. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

[Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Carl Heath

Carl Heath hugs Sun Shine Acres teacher Kay Anderson while visiting the children's home, Tuesday, June 13, 2012 in Mesa. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

[Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Carl Heath

Carl Heath visits the children at Sun Shine Acres, Tuesday, June 13, 2012 in Mesa. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

[Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

Carl Heath

Carl Heath visits the children at Sun Shine Acres, Tuesday, June 13, 2012 in Mesa. [Tim Hacker/ Tribune]

[Mike Sakal/Tribune]

Carl Heath

Carl Heath was a longtime teacher, counselor and coach at Mesa High School from 1950 to 1975. At age 87, Heath remains active in the community as a member of the United Methodist Church in Mesa and for more than 50 years has been involved with Sunshine Acres Children’s Home where he leads chapel and prayer meetings and serves on the home’s administrative board. [Mike Sakal/Tribune]

Carl Heath

Carl Heath (top row, far right) was a longtime teacher, counselor and coach at Mesa High School from 1950 to 1975. At age 87, Heath remains active in the community as a member of the United Methodist Church in Mesa and for more than 50 years has been involved with Sunshine Acres Children’s Home where he leads chapel and prayer meetings and serves on the home’s administrative board. [Image from 1963 Mesa High School yearbook]