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James R. Sheet
James Ray Sheet was born September 30 1933, he returned to the loving arms of Jesus October 18, 2022. James was family, a mentor, a confidant and a friend. In James' own written words: The sun and insatiable earth conspire to pull a disappearing act on all the water I pour on my plants. Of course, I am the slave in the whole process. Anything to prolong the look of summer. I get the sense I was born with a garden hose in my hand and sentenced to a life of watering forever. I look around at the incredible beauty of all the flowers, and I know it is worth the effort to be a co-worker in this ever changing feast of color. I can't paint pictures, but I can use plants to create a living work of art. As the years flash by with many fading dreams, I still have this gift and I am grateful. Some colors have faded from my palette. The Asiatic and oriental lilies have come and gone along with the piercing-red oriental poppies. The red and plumcolored hibiscus now join the mix of lavender Russian sage, bright yellow and orange dwarf cosmos, mixed-colored garden phlox, baby's breath, and a whole multitude of flowers vying for a place on the palette. The roses are hanging in, seemingly determined not to lose their preeminence in the theme of the show. Even the new ones: Judy Garland, Bull's Eye, and Perfume Delight are gearing up to make a last minute statement to bolster the place of roses as queens of all flowers. Waiting in the wings for their cue are the fall asters: white, blue, pink, wine and purple. Joining in the last hurrah of summer's art show are red, purple and yellow mums. The show is free and you are welcome to visit the gallery.
James was preceded in death by his parents: William R Sheets and Della 'Nancy' Emma Clara (Ragland) Sheets and his siblings: Myron Leroy, William 'Darrell', Robert Henry and Alice Marie Sheets.
He is survived by his sister: Marylyn J. (Sheets) Ohlmann-Valentine, sister-in-law: Thelma Sheets-Omaha,nieces and nephews: Sherry (Randy)Voigt and Garnet (Jeff) Starr and family-Valentine,Terrence Ohlmann-Hermosa,SD, Todd Ohlmann, Lois (Dick) Schneider and family-Kilgore, Joyce (Dan) Bauman and family-Pickrell, Randy(Laura)Sheets and family-Follett,TX, Richard (Rita) Sheets and family-Aberdeen,SD, Matt Sheets-Gordon, Mark (Shonda) Sheets and family- Alliance, Mike (JoAnna) Sheets and family-Lincoln, Doug (Susan) Sheets and family and Kathy Johansen and family of Omaha, Debbie (Tom) Busch and family-Alexandria,MN, Jamie (Keith) Bartness and family-St Paul,MN.
Memorials may be given to: Valentine Senior Center, 322 N. Macomb St., Valentine, NE 69201in honor of the beauty he created and the kindness and joy he shared or Borders Without Boundaries/90269 Hatchery Rd, Valentine,NE 69201 in honor of Dora(kitty) and Annie(dog) who remained with him, keeping vigil.
