Henry Wesley Handy

Henry Wesley Handy, known to family and friends as "Wes" died peacefully on Thursday, September 30, 2010.

Along with his wife, Nadine, Wes was to owner of several local businesses, among them, Little Playmates Early Childhood Education and Development Centers, Casa De Oro Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the Aristocrat and Adobe Assisted Living Communities, and Mountain Shadows Home Care Services.

Born on December 23, 1921, in Jerome, Idaho, Wes was the oldest of five children. He grew up on the Handy family farm, which was without electricity and running water until 1935. Wes attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, and his mother, Hazel, drove the horse and wagon that served as the town's school bus.

Wes often fondly recalled the day his father, Wade, purchased the farm's first tractor and replaced the family's mule team. Always one to seize new opportunities, Wes also loved to recall the time he sold his horse "Shorty" for $10 and bought his first bicycle.

In 1944, Wes married Nadine Flynn of Butte, Montana. After graduating from University of Idaho, he worked as a public school administrator in Washington State and received a PhD from the University of Washington. In 1965, the Handys moved to Las Cruces, where Wes took a position as a professor at New Mexico State University. When he received a full tenured professorship, Wes left the university and started a successful management consulting company, working nationwide.

Beginning in 1970, Wes and Nadine started a number of prominent and successful daycare centers and nursing homes, as well as a number of other ventures. These businesses continue to operate throughout Southern New Mexico today and employ over 600 people.

Wes is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nadine; a son, Grey and daughter-in-law, Dianne DeLayo of Santa Fe, and his beloved granddaughters, Ryan Maye Handy of New York, New York, and Brett Elise Handy of Santa Monica, California.

Funeral arrangements are private. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, a gift be made in memory of Wes Handy to KRWG-TV, PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88001, www.krwg.org or to the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Las Cruces, 1280 Medpark Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88005, www.dioceseoflascruces.org

Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels. 527-2222 For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com