The soul of LELON LEE McLOUTH, SR., is rejoicing in Eternity as of Sunday morning, 23 November 2008. Last month, Lee celebrated his 95th birthday. He was born on 3 October 1913-the day the United States first initiated a Federal Income tax. His birthplace no longer exists in Lela, Oregon, a town outside Salem, but his original name, Lelan, came from that town. Lee was the youngest of 6 children born to Gus and Katie McLouth. He attended school in Echo, Oregon through the 8th grade before quitting to help his family earn a living with their horses and mule-teams. He continued working for 79 more years until the age of 92, holding many types of jobs including school bus driver, watermelon truck driver, security guard, sheep herder, feedlot worker, farm hand, railroad worker, cowboy, janitor, recycler, Safeway courtesy clerk, and Jefferson Elementary School crossing guard-his all-time favorite. He especially enjoyed working for Bob Frazier of Walla Walla and Frank Trent of Richland.

Above all, Lee loved Jesus as his Savior and Lord of his life. He also loved animals of all kinds, especially dogs and horses. His favorite TV program was Lawrence Welk, and he loved listening to western and gospel music. The Spudnut Shop was his favorite spot to hang out, where he was automatically served his favorite glazed spudnut and black coffee, which he said always made him feel good. Years ago early one Saturday morning when there were no available tables, he was invited to join another family. That became a weekly ritual, and even when he was no longer able to come to the restaurant, Jerry and Gayla Calvert visited Lee every Saturday morning, bringing him a spudnut and coffee.

With apprehension in 1999, Lee prepared to take his first plane ride after being nominated to receive a special recognition award in Washington DC. The principal at Jefferson Elementary School nominated him for the honor of being named Washington State's Outstanding Older Worker. He was among 49 other winners from every state selected to go to Washington DC for an awards ceremony. He loved to tell the story about his trip-drinking his first glass of wine on an empty stomach at the banquet thinking it was punch, meeting congressional, how a policeman rescued him late at night from an unsafe part of DC, and how his good FBI friend Chris Coble personally showed him the U.S. Treasury Department and around the DC area. Lee realized he really liked to fly, so the plane flight home was a breeze. That's no surprise since his favorite hymn was "I'll Fly Away."

At the Richland Rite-Aid corner at the busy intersection of Van Giesen and George Washington Way where Lee used to wait for school children, there's a wooden bench whose yellow sign has since disappeared that used to say "THANK YOU LELON McLOUTH FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN". Many people still refer to that place as Lelon's Corner. Drivers passing by the Jefferson School may not have known his name, but they would honk and wave, and recognize him as the always-faithful crossing guard with the eagle-eye vision, taking children by the hand, safely crossing the street with them. Each year on the last day of school before Christmas break, he would wear a Santa Claus outfit and give candy to all the children. During his years as crossing guard, he has crossed 2 generations of families.

{em-}On 20 May 1993, an unknown friend left a note in an envelope addressed to "Cross Guard." It read "There have been many days when I've been rushing somewhere and had the privilege to slow down or stop where you are the cross-guard. Many times as I sat there waiting for the light to change, I have watched you walk a group of children across the street. Today was like most days, except when I watched you I saw you as a very special gift to those children. You are so careful to watch for their safety; you appear so kind and gentle, and you usually hold one lucky child's hand who I suspect raced his or her friends to the corner to win that honor. Today you were a gift to me as well. I actually thought you looked like a living Normal Rockwell painting! I wanted to let you know that if I feel that way then others must feel the same blessings I do. I thought in case no one has told you lately, Thank You for being such a good role model for the children as well as all the adults who see you every day. You are truly a gift to our community. Sincerely, A Friend" Another stranger even honored him with a poem she wrote about him, even though she never met him.

After moving from his own apartment, and no longer able to drive his pickup, his last 3 years were spent at Richland Gardens Assisted Living, which he soon came to realize was a wonderful place to live because all the staff were so kind to him.

He attended Richland Assembly of God Church as well as Temple Baptist Church, making many friends from both congregations. Lee always loved visitors, and he was blessed by the faithful visits made by Assembly's Senior Pastor Mel Veland.

Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, and his 5 sisters and brothers, Hazel Putnam Longhorn, Gladys Hooker, and Albert, Wesley, and Robert McLouth. He is survived by Joan Bouvier of Pasco-the mother of his 2 sons, Lelon, Jr., of Kennewick, and Brian of Spokane. He leaves 2 grandsons Brandon and Taylor and many, many other family members and friends.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 26th at Einan's Funeral Home at the corner of Swift Blvd and Hwy 240 915 By-Pass Highway. It was Lee's wish to be cremated, so there will be a brief graveside service after the memorial service to bury his remains next to his wife at Sunset Memorial Gardens Einan's.

Aware of Lelon's efforts in recycling, Washington State University Tri-Cities where he worked as janitor until 1992 when it was under the University of Washington as the Tri-Cities University Center set up the Lelon McLouth Environmental Scholarship in his honor in 2006 to be presented for environmental awards. Instead of sending flowers for the memorial service, please honor Lelon's memory with a gift of love and remembrance to the WSU scholarship fund. Make checks payable to "WSU Tri-Cities" and identify "LELON McLOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND" on the check.

WSU Tri-Cities

ATTN: Development Dept 2710 University Drive

Richland WA 99354

The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the staff at Kadlec Hospital, Richland Gardens, Tri-Cities Chaplaincy and Hospice, and to Leslie Canyon Adult Family Home for their special efforts to care for and comfort Lelon.

"And having chosen us, He called us to come to Him; and when we came, He declared us 'not guilty,' filled us with Christ's goodness, gave us right standing with Himself, and promised us His Glory." - Romans 8:30