Gary D. Sheets, [USAFA] '60, lost his battle against an ailing heart on Sept. 18, 2012 in Plano, Texas. Born on Dec. 4, 1937 on the family farm near Smith Center, Kansas, Gary graduated from Riverdale High School, attended the University of North Dakota for a year, and reported to Lowry AFB on July 9, 1956, as a member of the Class of 1960.

He served his country with honor, courage, and dignity for more than 24 years and retired as a Colonel in August 1984. He then worked for 10 years at Lockheed in Houston before joining Calladium Company, his family business in Richardson, Texas. Gary retired to a full life with Sylvia, his bride for 50 years, their four children, 19 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Gary's love for Christ was openly displayed in his devotion to his family and his service at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano as a Deacon, choir member, Sunday school teacher, and cast member of a children's video that teaches Christian values through comedy.

Gary loved the outdoors where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golf, a sport where his work ethics and devotion to detail honed his skills to where he was known as a worthy competitor.

Shortly before Gary's passing, he wrote a speech to be presented at a Great American Heritage Breakfast on September 22. Examples extracted from this speech reveal more about this man than we might otherwise know.

While at North Dakota University, he wrote: "I lived in the Frat House and I soon became disillusioned with the fraternity lifestyle. One night in October I returned late from a mandatory beer bust. I felt empty and that my life was becoming meaningless and it had to change." He consequently applied to the USAFA and was selected as one of two out of 60 nominees from North Dakota. He wrote: "It was at the Academy that I began to appreciate what a wonderful country we live in and I was thrilled with the prospects before me. The Academy was molding our minds to prepare us to serve our country." Gary especially praised our requirement as Doolies to memorize the Code of Conduct as many of us faced the challenges and dangers of Vietnam.

Gary started his Air Force career flying F-102s, and later flew 80 missions over North Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller in 0-1Es against heavily defended targets.

In an intended speech, Gary wrote about one known as the "Hornet's Nest." He said: "I was in my tent hoping to get some sleep before my 3 a.m. take-off. It was already 10:30 p.m. and I grabbed a Bible that had just arrived from Sylvia. As I thumbed through the scriptures, I stopped at Romans 5, which she had underlined. As an exercise like counting sheep, I read the verses over and over again, hoping to get sleepy. Instead, the depth of meaning of the scriptures came alive and spoke to my spirit, deep within my heart."

Romans 5 clearly validates Gary's strength in living with his protracted illness and describes his love for God, his country, and the family that continues life as his legacy.

The Brad Baker poem, "I Flew," in part says "God was extremely good to me and let me touch His face. He saw my crew through war and peace and blessed us with His grace. So when I stand at Saint Peter's Gate and tell Him that I'm new, I know He'll smile and welcome me, because He knows I flew!"

Godspeed Gary.

(Sylvia Sheets and David Sweigart '60)