Obituary of Colonel Gary Dean Sheets

Gary was born on December 4, 1937 on the family farm near Smith Center, Kansas. He graduated from Riverdale High School and attended the University of North Dakota for a year before entering the United States Air Force Academy as a member of the second graduating class of 1960.He was an Air Force pilot and logistician for 24 ½ years. After retirement from the Air Force, he worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space Control in Houston, Texas for ten years before joining the family business, Calladium Company in Richardson, Texas. After the sale of the pen and pencil manufacturing company he retired and became active in the Prestonwood Baptist Church of Plano, Texas, as a Deacon, member of the Celebration Choir, Sunday School Teacher and most recently a cast member of "Living with Fish" a video for children that teaches Christian values through comedy. He also loved golfing, singing, hunting and fishing. He participated in local conservative politics and enjoyed his 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was proud of his culinary triumph of inventing pickle-peanut butter sandwiches on whole wheat bread which he loved. He is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence C. Sheets and Blanche Stafford Sheets and his sister Donna Sheets Anderson. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Sylvia Sonnenburg Sheets, his four children; Susan Stafford (Scott) Sheets Hoster, Jeffery Dean (Wende) Sheets, Nathan Holmes (Patty) Sheets, Rachel Ruth (Chad) Visser and 19 grandchildren and 2 great children. He is also survived by his remaining five sisters, Betty McElderry Tuxhorn, Maxine Stammer, Val Jean Hettich, Sheryle Preston and Linda Moore. A Funeral Service with Full Military Honors will be held 10AM, Monday, September 24, 2012 at The United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel with burial to follow at the United States Air Force Academy CemeteryContributions in Gary's memory may be made to the Prestonwood Baptist church Children's Department, "Living with Fish", 6501 West Park Boulevard, Plano Texas, 75093. Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Cemetery Monday, September 24, 2012 12:00AM US Air Force Academy Cemetery 2168 Field House Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80840 Phone: 719-328-1793 Visitation Monday, September 24, 2012 9:00AM U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel U.S. Air Force Academy, CO Phone: 719-328-1793 Service Monday, September 24, 2012 10:00AM U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel U.S. Air Force Academy, CO Phone: 719-328-1793