Jesse J. Lafferty

Jess was a gentle-man. As a child growing up in South Park I have fond memories of Jess. He always opened the door for any lady and took great care of his mother both traits long lost today.

We go back, it seems, a hundred years. All the old weight-lifting boys were the ones who started off bodybuilding in Beaumont, me, you, Ludwig ,Schusterick, Antony Fazio, Ed LeBlanc, who was there at the pearly gates waiting to greet you, I'm sure, as well as all those other wonderful people from those good old YMCA days, when the Y was a real Y, and you lived there for years. I was desk clerk there for years, while I went to college.

The real education was being at the YMCA with mature minds, such as yours. God Love You!

Aside from being a magnificent human being and always willing to help someone who wanted some help, especially the bodybuilders, you went out of your way to help a lot of people on the street. Remember when you would get off from the refinery, and you would shout out to us from below, while we were upstairs working out, "How many up there?" We'd tell you, and you'd say you'd be right up. Those were the days of dedication. No heat, no running water, no nothing.

Remember all the contests we held and supervised at Galveston, Texas, Lake Charles, and especially in Beaumont at the Jefferson Threatre. Then, came Gateway, and they asked us to hold a number of them there too; also, a few were held in South Park at the Parks. We all had fun, enjoyment, and shared much.

I often think of you and those days; and they were the days; it was a shame we probably didn't realize it; but you were always full of sage advice.

I was thinking of you and those wonderful halycon times just yesterday! You know, this was a part of our whole youth and growing up then, and my, Jessie, how short it was!

We had some excellent discussions up there in that COLD weight-room at 934 Calder Avenue.

Do you remember that Catholic Priest who studied with us and Ludwig Schusterick. You, Schusterick and the Priest had some really in-depth discussions--and all this during our workouts. You can get a lot talked about during a good workout!

It was wonderful. And...go eat on the "Fat of The Lamb," forever and ever...you deserve it. You could always be counted on and I know you will be praying for Planet America...it is a mess!

Charley (Charles)

P.S.: Just think, Jess, you can never get sick, never grow old, and never die again. By now, you've met your mother, I'm sure, first, and you certainly have met my mother, whom you knew, and the rest of those wonderful Marines who didn't make it back, from all the wars.

Dear Harold and family, Jesse was a very special person and he had his own way of doing things but always remember he loved you all very much. He was always so happy to share which of you had called or visited through the years. He will be missed by all of us.

To my dear dear friend. Knowing someone for almost twenty years makes it hard to say goodbye, so I will say so long until another time. Thank you for being my mentor and friend and for loving me no matter what. My heart will hold you in great affection for all time.