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HARVEY -- Laheeta L. Harvey, 87 a prominent New Mexico Cattle and Sheep rancher, died Sunday, December 25, 2005 at her ranch home at Encino, NM following an illness. Laheeta was born November 12, 1918 north of Fort Sumner to the home of John Richard Luna and the former Martha Lou Humphrey. She was raised on the Luna family ranch and attended a country grade school. She attended and graduated from Fort Sumner High School. Following graduation she worked as a book keeper. She married Buck Harvey in June 1938. Together they began a cattle and sheep ranch at Negra in Torrance County. They moved their two room home from Fort Sumner by truck. They also moved their cattle from Fort Sumner to Encino. Trailing approximately 50 yearlings the trip took nearly two weeks; it was Laheeta's first time to sleep under the stars. During the drought of the 1940s Buck and Laheeta purchased the Herbert Dooley Ranch, he later partnered with his cousin Gerald Farr and they purchased the Red Canyon Ranch in Torrance County, the White Lakes Ranch in Santa Fe County, and the Loyd Snow Ranch. They also purchased the John Prather "Alamo Ranch" in Otero County. Buck and Laheeta later purchased the Paul Dean "Little America" ranch in Otero County. Laheeta and Buck weathered many crises in the cattle and sheep business in their many ranching years. They developed a strong partnership that was evident between the two that was not dissolved with the death of Buck in January on 1979. Drawing on her years of ranching experience, Laheeta continued the ranch operation and in 1993 she purchased the Dunlap Ranch south of Fort Sumner. Laheeta was active in her community and her church. She served on the Torrance County School Board, Farmer's Home Administration Board, and was a strong supporter of the Encino Methodist Church. She was a charter member of the Encino Extension Club, a member of NM Wool Growers and NM Cattle Growers Associations. Laheeta was preceded in death by her husband Buck Harvey in 1979; her parents; and two sisters, Sybal Knapp and Opal Luna. Buck and Laheeta had no children, but they raised and educated a niece, Janet Harvey Autsin, they were also the summer home of many ranch loving nephews and friends. Laheeta is survived by a brother Lamar Luna and his wife Melba of Fort Sumner along with several nieces, nephews, dedicated ranch employees, and many friends. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 30, 2005 from the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Wesley Holland and Rev. Terry Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in the Harvey-Luna family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Dwight Luna, Joe Russell, Larry Irvin, Kenny Luna, Paul Chavez, and Mike Harvey. Honorary bearers will include Bob McLaughlin, Louella Gauna, Robert Naylor, Barbara Montes, Kenneth Cook, Louis Lynch, Ernest Perez, Tye Terrel and Art Dunlap. Visitation hours will be Thursday from 10am to 6pm at Chavez Funeral Home. The family prefers memorial contributions in Laheeta's memory to the First United Methodist Church, Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 410; Fort Sumner, NM 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311. For online condolences visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com
        Published on: Wed December 28, 2005