Harry Wyeno

Harry Akira Wyeno, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at the age of 85.

Born on August 5th, 1934 in Swink, Colorado, Harry lived most all his life on the family farm in Crowley County.  In October 2017, Harry and his wife Darla moved to Lakewood, Colorado to be closer to his children and grandchildren.  Harry loved his family and especially loved his grandchildren.

Harry was one of 10 children born to Toku Kadoguchi Wyeno, and the eldest son of Toku and George Gosaku Wyeno.  He graduated from Crowley High School in 1952.  Harry was married to Darla Higgs on April 5th, 1958 and together they had two children: Leslie Gwinn and Curtis Wyeno.

Harry began taking over the management of the family farm at the age of 16 years old.  In his early years of farming, he raised melons, sugar beets, onions and tomatoes.  Later in life, Harry farmed mostly seed melons, alfalfa, corn, and milo.  As a young farmer, in the winters, Harry also worked at the Sugar Beet Factory in Rocky Ford, Colorado, and sometimes worked as a cowboy for a friend who needed help with his ranch and cattle.  In the mid 1980’s after selling the farm’s water rights and transitioning the farm to grazing grass, Harry went to work for the 1st National Bank in Ordway.  Harry worked as a teller and performed inspections for farm, ranch, and livestock loans.  He eventually became the manager of the 1st National Bank in Rocky Ford.  Harry loved working in the community and seeing his friends and fellow farmers and ranchers every day.

Harry was an active member of the Crowley Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, and later at the Ordway Methodist Church.  He served on the local board of the Farmers Home Administration and was on the Board of Directors for the Crowley County Nursing Center.  Harry and his wife Darla were honored as the 2005 Citizens of the Year in Crowley County, and were honored again in 2014 as the Grand Marshals of Crowley County Days.  Harry was an active member of the Crowley County Heritage Society and served the community alongside his wife, Darla, for many years.

Harry didn’t know a stranger, and had a gift for talking, storytelling, and making everyone feel welcome.  Harry loved bowling, fishing, golf, and singing.  Most of all, however, Harry loved his family and sacrificed for them throughout his entire life.

Harry is survived by his wife, Darla; brother Henry “Hank” Wyeno (Ruth); sisters Dorothy “Dottie” Adams (Jim) and May Clermont (Dennis); daughter Leslie Gwinn (Steve); son Curtis Wyeno (Karin); grandson Jase Wyeno (Emilie Asbury); granddaughters Brittany Wyeno, Abby Terry (Tim), Sarah Tamura (Andy Nye), and Hannah Tamura; step grandchildren Sarah Jeffers (James), Jesse Gwinn (Karlee), Annie Tonkinson (Jesse), and Lauren Lunt; step great grandchildren Arlan Jeffers, Jolie Jeffers, and Magnolia Tonkinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Harry is preceded in death by his parents, George and Toku Wyeno; sisters Toshiko Kora, Mary Hiraga, and Lillian Akagi; brothers Frank Kido and Mike Kido; and his daughter-in-law Michelle Wyeno (Curt).  Harry’s brother Joe Wyeno passed away shortly after Harry.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Crowley Community Baptist Church in Crowley, Colorado.  With respect to masks, we encourage you to follow CDC recommendations, and do what is comfortable for you.

Memorial contributions in Harry’s memory may be made to the Crowley County Heritage Center, P. O. Box 24, Crowley, CO 81033.

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