My Brother

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.