I just received a phone call (July 22, 2013) telling me my
second oldest brother had breathed his last breath on this earth. His pain has
ended and he went to sleep to awaken for us no more. It hurts my heart, but at
90 years of age he had lived a full life. Lester, we will all miss you.
He was a troubled youth who gave my parents fits as well as
the school teachers and school truant officer. He escaped the truant officer by
joining the California Conservation Corp, working on trails in Sequoia National
Park. All his minor illicit activity was
put to rest years ago when he moved to Santa Cruz, California to get away from
the environment. Prior to that he served in the US Army and attained the rank
of tech sergeant. He served the end of WWII in the Pacific and went to Korea
for the remainder of his service.
During other Mother’s memorial service in 1973 he told my
pastor that he was the black sheep of the family. But truly through the years
his heart was transformed and he became tender toward the things of God.
Religion was not his thing, but he understood relationship.
He fathered four boys and finally a daughter. His wife
tolerated his behavior for over 60 years. She has taken his passing extremely
hard. Our prayers go out to her.
He was the “White Lady” of Ocean Drive who thrilled the
youth with his antics at the abandoned building on Ocean Street extension, just
a short distance from the house. He drove the gang of kids up and down Beach
Street in the “jeep boat” to the thrill of many. I was not part of these
episodes but his boys and their cousins and friends were the experienced ones.
Gasoline wars were at their height in the 1950’s when he
operated the Regal Station on Ocean Street. I remember the price at one time
being as low as 25.9 cents a gallon. After selling the station he worked in
construction until retiring.
He was a Waggonner. That ascribes to him the right to be
stubborn and opinionated.
The last few years of his life were lived in much pain. He
had adult onset of diabetes resulting in loss of his toes on one foot. He fell
many times resulting in a broken hip. The last few months were the hardest. He
was pretty much bedridden. Eventually his will to live diminished and God took
him. All of his children got to be with Him on his last day along with some nieces
and nephews.
He joins his two sisters and another brother along with mom
and dad. Now there are two of us siblings remaining, ironically the oldest,
aged 92 and the youngest, aged 67.
RIP, Les.
