In tribute: Harry Sheets 'always had another idea to make life easier'

Harry Sheets came to Farwell as an eighth-grader, and spent most of the rest of his life making it a better and more powerful place.

Sheets died June 5 at his home at the age of 91, according to a eulogy by son Gene Sheets. He was a self-made businessman, occasional pilot and generally witty and funny role model.

"He was very creative," said his other son, Dr. Kyle Sheets. "(He) always had another idea to make life easier."

In 1950, Harry had an idea to use natural gas instead of electricity to power irrigation pumps. He told his dad the fuel source could save farmers money, and make them money on an installation process they need not subcontract.

Gene said the bank agreed to loan Harry the $18,000 to buy the ditching machine.

"(He) put in a major percentage of all the natural gas lines in this area - Farwell, Clovis, Portales, from Amarillo to Seminole and from Portales to east of Lubbock," he said. "He wasn't the only one doing this but he put the majority of this in."

The natural gas line installation business kept him busy for 45 years, Gene said, and for the next 10 years he constructed metal buildings.

"He was an engineer without a degree," Gene said.

Harry Sheets never preached to his sons, Gene said, but taught them to be fair and respect everyone.

"He was a great father and encouraged us to not be afraid to do things," Kyle Sheets said. "He expected you to figure out how to do things. We learned to be pretty independent minded."

Survivors include his wife, Mina; three sons, Kyle, Gene and Kayle Watts; 19 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.