Larry Shed

Larry Shed, longtime businessman in Hobbs, passed away on August 13, 2020 in Scottsdale, Arizona after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Disease with Parkinsonism.  He was 78.  Larry Lawayne Shed was born November 7, 1941 in Atwood, OK to Tom and Ruby Shed.  He grew up in Holdenville, OK and came to Hobbs in 1960 where he started Shed’s Sign Company in his garage.  He later moved Shed’s Signs to a commercial location and was affectionately known around town as “the sign man.”  Larry subsequently owned and operated other businesses in Hobbs including LASCO Construction, Shed Industries, Zia Stor-All and Royal Buildings, Inc.  Many buildings in Lea County bear the peak sign of one of these businesses.  He was appointed by Governor Toney Anaya to serve as Chairman of the Construction Industries Commission of New Mexico and later reappointed a member of the Commission by Governor Bill Richardson.

Larry was a proud Army veteran and belonged to a number of organizations including Hobbs Rotary Club, Hobbs Masonic Lodge No. 63, A.F. & A.M.  and the New Mexico Amigos.   He was active in the Democratic Party of Lea County, served as a board member for LEADERS and was a former member of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association and the Permian Basin Airport Board.  He was a longtime member of Taylor Memorial Baptist Church.

Larry loved doing business. He loved working alongside his employees, setting up equipment or trying out new ideas for manufacturing signs or metal buildings.  He was a private pilot and enjoyed flying his own planes, sharing many stories with fellow pilots at the Lea County Airport.  Friends and family can recount warm memories of their flights with Larry.  He married Nikki Scarafiotti of Santa Fe in 1974 and they shared a lifetime of happiness.  Together, they traveled across the world, became avid golfers, and found that the very best company they could keep was with each other.

Larry is survived by his wife, Nikki, son, Rick (Catherine) of Hobbs, son, Scott (Melissa) of Hobbs; grandchildren Sarah Shed, Katy Short (Spencer), Jake Shed (Allisyn), and Ralph Shed; two great-grandchildren Benjamin Short and Henry Short; and sisters Earlene Collier and Judy Jackson of OK.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Marie Shed, Patsy Shed, Leon Shed, and Linda Shed of OK and Norma Madden of Hobbs.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry’s name to Rotary International Foundation, c/o Hobbs Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1444, Hobbs, New Mexico  88240.