Kendall J. Sheets Obituary (1931 - 2018)

Kendall J. Sheets, 86, of Bloomington, passed away at 12:25 a.m. on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at Heritage Health in Normal. Kendall was born on September 29, 1931 in El Reno, OK, the son of Jesse and Alice Jennings Sheets. He first married Nadine Bynum, the mother of his two sons. He later married Sue Rohman, on November 8, 1969, in Morton. Kendall was an outstanding three sport athlete at El Reno High School in Oklahoma. His senior year he played on an undefeated basketball team that became the 1949 State Champions. From El Reno he went on to attend Oklahoma A & M University (now Oklahoma State). He played on the Cowboys' basketball team coached by the legendary Henry Iba. His senior year the Cowboys' played in the NCAA Final 4. After graduation he was offered an NBA contract but chose instead to move to Illinois and join Caterpillar Inc. where he played on the AAU Caterpillar sponsored Peoria Cats. He was a member of the team that won the Gold Medal at the 1954 FIBA World Championships played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That was USA Basketball's first World Championship. He continued working for Caterpillar in many different capacities. He traveled to many parts of the world for the company, including Australia, Japan, Belgium, South Africa and several countries in South America. His last job with Caterpillar was that of Factory Manager for the Part facility in York, PA. Kendall was an avid hunter. He enjoyed his hunting trips with friends and was always searching for his first elk. Kendall was also right at home on the golf course. He and Sue traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. This gave them the opportunity to play the great courses here and abroad. He was thrilled to play St. Andrews, Turnberry, and Carnoustie and Troon in Scotland. In the USA, he had the privilege of playing Pinehurst, Torrey Pines and Butler National. One event he always looked forward to was the yearly gathering of his Peoria golfing buddies in Tippecanoe, IN. Kendall loved to explore far and wide especially in the vast open lands of Arizona. His Safari rides were not for the faint of heart. Another hobby he enjoyed was attending horse races or picking winners at the OTB. Kendall and Sue retired in Prescott, AZ, in 2000. They made many friends wherever they lived - Goodfield, Illinois, York, Pennsylvania and then Prescott. Kendall had an electric personality. It was impossible to be around him for even a short time without referring to him as "one of the nicest guys you would ever meet". The biggest compliment he could give his male friends was calling them "A Good Old Boy". He was also a man who was the perfect example of honesty, integrity, and sincerity. Kendall is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Sue of Bloomington, who he loved dearly and his son Paul (Amy) Sheets of Carlsbad, CA. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Sarah Sheets, who attends school in Berkeley, CA. Kendall was never one to brag but just saying Sarah's name brought a special twinkle to his eye. He is also survived by two nieces, Karen (Tom) Bennett of Indianapolis, IN, Kimberly (Tom) Tomlin of Wylie, TX and two nephews, Kevin (Linda) Evans of Denver, CO and Kent (Deborah) Evans of Lake Jackson, TX. He leaves behind members of Sue's family: Carol Mishler of Metamora and Sandy (John) Snyder of Bloomington, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Sabrina Sheets Bauman of Toms River, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Kendall Mark Sheets and his sister, Jeannie "Sis" Evans. A celebration of Kendall's life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 5, 2018 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, where visitation will be one hour prior to services. Cremation rights have been accorded. A private inurnment will take place at Roberts Cemetery, Morton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Community Cancer Center, 407 E. Vernon Ave, Normal, IL 61761 or to a charity of the donor's choice. To know him was to love him and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him