Christopher Heaton

Sr.JASPER Christopher M. Heaton Sr., 26, drowned, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, while valiantly attempting to rescue a small child that he believed was trapped in a submerged vehicle.Chris was born Oct. 31, 1985 to William and Debra Heaton. He attended Richard Hardy Memorial School, and Chattanooga State where he earned a degree in industrial maintenance. He was currently enrolled in the Pipefitters Apprentice Program and was employed by Advanced Auto in Jasper.Chris leaves to cherish his memory two sons, Christopher M. Heaton Jr., 4 years old, and Hunter W. Heaton, 3 years old; mother and stepfather, Debra and Larry Miller; father and stepmother, William and Maria Heaton; sisters, Amanda Garner and Angelia Heaton; grandparents, Don and Pat Skiles; several stepbrothers and stepsisters; two nephews; one niece, uncles, aunts, cousins and many, many friends.Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. CST today, Feb. 10, 2012, in the funeral home chapel.Interment will be in Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens.Arrangements by Tate Funeral Home, Jasper, Tenn., 423-942-9500, www.tatefh.com.