Lewis Ledbetter, long time sign painter here in Grants Pass, Oregon, passed away last Wednesday. He was 91. Louie ran his own one man shop until he was almost 80, and his work was outstanding, strictly hand brush lettering. He never owned a computer that I know of. He was also well known for his firey letters to the editor. Though he was a little man in stature, he was a giant in heart. I'll miss him.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Sorry to hear about this Jerry. The world needs more people that live what they believe. I'm sure you will miss him deeply.
Posted by Pam Eddy (Member # 1858) on :
Sorry to hear about your loss. It has been almost a year to the day I lost my friend who hand painted for 60 years before he retired.
They are a rare breed aren't they? Keep his memories close.
Pam
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
With Louie and Bennie gone, does this put you in the senior slot there now?
Posted by Jerry Mathel (Member # 526) on :
Hi Rick,
No, I'm not the oldest sign painter here in Grants Pass, but pretty close. Bill Williams is the oldest one around, and has me beat by about 10 years. He's about 77 or 78 and still going strong. He's still climbing ladders and working out off his ladder truck every day. No one is sure just how old he is, but he was a paratrooper in the army on D-Day in WW-II. He attended the first Letterhead meet in Moore, Oklahoma in 1980 and still gets to an occasional meet, so some of you know him.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Jerry, I remember Bill. Tell him I said hello. We used to breakfast together every year in San Jose.
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
Jerry, Sorry to hear of this man's passing.
Was Bill the gentleman who helped letter the back of my van at the Micro meet?
We will be passing through Grants Pass next Wed.
I always think of you when I do
A:)
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I think that was Bill, Adriene. He came down with Jerry the year we did the gilded R's.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)