Robert Lee Sheets

Robert was born to Garnald “George” Sheets and Rosalie Taylor Sheets on March 13, 1930, in Port Arthur, Texas. He grew up primarily in Los Angeles, California. When he was 8 years old, he lived next door to Bettye Long. She fell in love with him then because he could do flips in the air. After Bettye and her mom moved back and forth from California to Ohio, she reconnected with Bob in high school and they married at age 18 on June 25, 1948, so you could say he married the girl next door.

Bob earned his varsity letter in gymnastics as a junior in high school at Washington High School in Los Angeles. He worked as a roofer before and after his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Richardson in Alaska. He joined the Los Angeles City Fire Department and retired as an Engineer on the fire department after 29 years. In retirement he enjoyed painting and left his family with many beautiful paintings, which will always be cherished heirlooms.

Bob and Bettye followed their daughter, Mari, and only grandchild, Amanda, to Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 2003.

Bob was predeceased by his parents George and Rosalie, and his two brothers Joseph Taylor and Eugene Sheets. He is survived by his wife of 76 years Elizabeth “Bettye” Sheets, daughter Mari (Ira) Cooke, granddaughter Amanda Sheets all of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and son Eric (Astri) Sheets of Huntington Beach, California.

The family would like to thank the Village at Northrise Memory Care unit for their excellent care these last three years.

Private family services will be held in California at a later date. Interment will be at Westminster Memorial Park in Westminster, California.