Our family business took root in 1964 when Herbert Lakey started his career as an aerial applicator, which many know as crop-dusting. His career started in Petersburg, Texas, and carried him all the way down to the Rio Grande Valley. In 1988, the farmers from Fisher and Jones counties urged him to come home and spray for them. Later that year, Herb and Ben Holcomb teamed up, and the planes of Tri-County Sprayers, Inc. have graced the West Texas skies ever since!

​

This endeavor started on a grass strip at The Lakey's home place in Sylvester, TX where Barbara Lakey, Herb's wife, ran the office. After purchasing a hangar from B&W Spraying Service, the business moved to Hamlin Municipal Airport in 1991. The new facility allowed an increase in services and efficiency. With added improvements of a drive-thru loading hangar and additional workspace, we were able to spend more time taking care of our customers. The 1990s brought "Boll Weevil contracts" allowing us to help farmers from the Texas Panhandle to Taylor, TX. Hamlin continues to be home and serves us well as we focus on row crops and pasture services.

​

We are blessed to have three generations in the family business and work with the same conviction and character as when it all began. The second generation, Vance and Brad Lakey, continue to fly and have held various roles in the company and took on more responsibilities with Herb's retirement in 2003.

 

In 2012 Wade Lakey, third generation, returned from college and was excited to help with the family business, and recently was promoted to General Manager. They are accompanied by Laine Lakey, Brad's wife, as office manager. We have worked with many great pilots along the way and would be amiss without giving appreciation to Joe Collier and past pilots, Charles Brumley and the late Wally McGee.