Adam Lehman

Adam Lehman, Jr. was born on March 9, 1915. He was the first surviving son of Volga River German immigrants, Adam Lehman, Sr. and Anna Grass. His parents arrived at Ellis Island in 1906, and married in 1910. They eventually settled in the Reedley area as farmers. Upon entering grammar school, Adam Jr. spoke only German, which might account for his oft repeated expression, "I wasn't in the first grade two years for nothing". He graduated from Sanger High School in 1933.

Adam grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and never forgot the lessons of family, hard work, honesty and the importance of education. He often recalled that while they had enough to eat, there was little extra money for a family of ten on a twenty acre farm. His father, Adam Sr., once borrowed $4 to buy Adam Jr. a class ring. He paid it back too, a dollar a week. Hard times.

Apparently things improved, because a few years later Adam Jr. paid $626 for a new 1936 Ford Coupe, and met Elsie Schedler on a blind date. He was immediately captivated by Elsie's beautiful smile and gracious personality. They began married life with $90, and according to Elsie, "lived on love" during those early years. Together they raised three children.

In 1945, Adam returned from World War II Military service where he survived a shipwreck that had him swimming for his life in the Pacific on the night his first child, Joyce was born. He then started a family business in a wooden barn and dedicated himself to his work for the next 60 plus years, with Elsie always at his side. He was hardworking, honest, and fair and often maintained that the best deal is good for both sides. When he could no longer drive, he enlisted a driver to get him to work, and when he could no longer walk, he used a motorized scooter to make his rounds. He believed in himself, loved his work, and became lifelong friends with many customers. He often said he wanted to "wear out, not rust out".

When Adam was a younger man, his interests were hunting, fishing, horses, and entertaining. As the years passed, he said many times that he had accomplished everything he wanted and was satisfied with his life.

In 2001, his beloved wife Elsie, his angel, passed away and he fell in love for a second time to Dolores Dahlin. They shared 11 years together during which Dolores provided selfless care and companionship to Adam and they were together at his sudden passing. She was the last to hold his hand and the last to hear his voice.

Adam was preceded in death by Elsie, his loving wife of 64 years; his brother, Henry Lehman; his sisters, Ann Ward, Irene Oliver, Betty Hartwig, Mollie Erickson, and Kate Opperman.

Adam is survived by his loving companion, Dolores Dahlin; his brother, Elmer Lehman; his three children: Joyce Lehman and her companion Andy Scott, Loretta Showalter and her husband John, Ken Lehman and his wife Debra; and five grandchildren: Daemon Hayes, Tunzel Hayes and her husband Matt Yost, Nicole Showalter, Adam Lehman, and Renata Lehman. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren: London Konior-Showalter, Annabelle Hayes Yost, and Berno Hayes Yost.

Visitation will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, at 10:00 a.m.