Dad, it’s been 17 days since you left us. Not a day goes by not a minute goes by not a second goes by that I’m not thinking about you. I miss our lunchtime phone calls you in the background or mom in the background talking
those phone calls are still happening and going to happen I know you’re listening please wrap your arms around MOM she really needs it and she made you that I love you

It was the early 60s and I was in my early teens. We lived in a new suburban development in one of the first houses built on the street. A vacant lot sat across the street from us. A For Sale sign and bales of hay occupied the dirt and rock lot that seemed to be empty for years. And suddenly there was a house there. And just as suddenly there was this guy standing out in his driveway every Saturday washing his slick new Cadillac. That guy would be Jack Lepor. I don't remember actually meeting him - it was sort of an osmosis thing. We just knew each other. He had a beautiful wife Sandy, and two beautiful daughters Laura and Lisa with the third on the way (soon to be Leslie). My memory is sort of vague on how it happened but soon our families became intertwined. Soon Jack, who was in his early 30s, would come over to shoot basketball with my brother, Rick and me. We'd play HORSE. Jack had this incredible left-handed reverse layup that was impossible to beat. He was also an amazing ping-pong player -- as we would later discover, he spent a good deal of time playing it in the Army. And Jack had an incredible job - he was a Bestform (lady's undergarments) sales rep for Western Pennsylvania. For a kid smack in the middle of puberty, I could only imagine what that job was like. One of my most fond memories of Jack came when I was about 19 or 20. He cherished his Cadillac - always a new one every year or so. The Lepor family was heading to San Diego - I believe for Christmas. Jack asked me to drive them to the airport and care for his Caddy when they were out of town. It was an enormous responsibility -- one that I now wonder what Jack was thinking. It was snowing when I took them to the airport. I still recall the white-knuckle drive home after dropping them off. I did come though and lived up to Jack's trust in me. Those were the day's of the Nixon presidency. At one time I guess Jack leaned toward being a Democrat. My parents were staunch Republicans and very much Nixon fans. He would tease them un-mercifully leaving doctored-up Tricky Dick Nixon newspaper articles at their door. I remember spotting him one time at night sneaking across the street with his newest Tricky Dick article in hand dressed in a bathrobe with his mischievous smile across his face. Speaking of smiles, Jack had one of the biggest most genuine smiles imaginable - he always seemed to be happy. Then there was a sadness -- my dad died. Jack immediately stepped in to fill the loss and became a surrogate dad -- still a friend -- but now another role. As time passed I eventually moved away to the south. I kept in touch with Jack and Sandy through Christmas cards. I would see Jack when I would go home to visit my mom. But somewhat unexpectedly, Jack was transferred to Birmingham to end his career. When I lived in Atlanta, I visited them a couple of times. But soon I was transferred and no longer close to them. We kept in touch with Christmas cards. Then suddenly about seven years ago, through the magic of the internet, emails started popping up in my in-box from someone with the email "theoldcoots." It was Jack. They were generally patriotic and conservative in nature (which surprised me since he was so anti-Tricky Dick). Every morning when I got up there would be one or more emails from him - I always looked forward to it. Then five years ago an opportunity came up. I was living in Las Vegas and had planned a trip to Atlanta to visit my daughter. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to make a one day trip to Birmingham to visit Jack and Sandy. So early one Atlanta morning, I caught a train to Birmingham. When I got there, I remember walking down a ramp and spotting an individual standing halfway down. I didn't recognize him at first - then there was that amazing Jack Lepor smile. I spent a incredible day with them. One thing that stood out -- I had been a Hollywood actor. In recounting some of my experiences, I had ruined Jack's allusions of the TV/movie business. He was shocked to learn that his favorite show in rerun at the time "Combat" was primarily shot on a Burbank sound-stage. When I left Jack at the train station to return to Atlanta, I sort of suspected that that would be the last time I would see him. It was a sad goodbye but I will forever cherish that trip. I thank God for that opportunity. THen soon after, Jack was diagnosed with Parkinson's. I too had PD and we'd compare notes. It was about a year ago when theoldcoots emails became less frequent. And suddenly they were talking of pain. About two weeks before he died, there was a sense in what he was saying that he was coming to an end. Then he was gone. A week later, I'm still coming to grips with it. I was ready for his death but not for the flood of memories that have been on my mind. The world lost an incredible man that day. Sandy, Laura, Lisa and Leslie lost a devoted loving husband and father and I lost an amazing friend. I idolized him. There is now an emptiness in my life called Jack. I loved him dearly. There is one thing I'd like to say in closing "ROLL TIDE!"
Dave

Jack, my dear friend how I am going to miss you. I met Jack 33 years ago when I was just a crazy 18 year girl working in NYC selling women's lingerie and having the time of my life. I can still remember the first time I met Jack - he walked into our office with his pinkest dress pants, sleekly pressed linen blazer, and his debonair self. Most impressive was his southern gentleman charm. From that first meeting, we were friends for life. His wit, elegance, genuine character is something that will live in my heart forever. I have his last voicemail on my phone and even in his shaky voice, his charm was still there. I will NEVER DELETE that message. I will see you on the other side - Love you forever, Dawne

It is often quoted, “they were just like family.” But in the case of Jack, Sandy, Laura, Lisa and Leslie, they ARE family. There are so many memories that built a foundation of love, admiration, support and laughter between our families. I’ll never forget when Jack and Sandy moved in across the street from us. What had been an open lot in the rapidly expanding suburban conclave of Park Forest, grew to be, in my 11-year old eyes, a palace.it was like Hollywood had come to town in 1961. Jack and Sandy were beautiful (and tan) and their house and yard were immaculate with Sandy’s care and Jack’s obsessive passion over a weed-less green expanse. Over the next several years their family expanded with the birth of Laura, Lisa and Leslie and they, like their parents, were so beautiful too and over the years we all became friends and family. And how could I not mention their dachshund (Bernice) who we totally adored. And it became a true insight into Jack’s unique and undeniable humor when we found out she was named her after Sandy’s mother. Throughout the years memory upon memories were built. I can still hear Jack asking my mom, “can the boys come out and play?” And then he and Harvey Bennett took “advantage” of our youth by beating us (although secretly we let them) in street football and backyard hoops with the infamous Jack Lepor hook shot. And the memories grew in so many kind and loving ways. When my dad died, our world fell apart. But Jack and Sandy were always there to help my mom through the sadnessand who can ever forget Jack’s ribbing of my mom with Richard Nixon jokes.they kept her laughing when her world was falling apart. And their loving hugs at my dad’s funeral gave me strength and warmth that can’t be imagined.and, as you would expect with true family, they were with Nancy, Dave and me the day my mom passed. There is truly no one like Jack Leporor ever will be. He was a one-of-a kind loving and devoted father, husband and friend and the sound of his voice and laughter will always be with me. And I am looking forward to the day when I arrive in heaven, and can give him a big hug and take him on in one-on-one hoops where God will make sure he doesn’t cheatbut I’m sure I will still lose to my hero.
Many prayers and blessings to Sandy, Laura, Lisa and Leslie.you are forever family.

I was so fortunate to call Jack my friend for many years beginning as salesman at Bestform Foundations Inc, NYC. For a number of years I was a regional sales mgr working with Jack in Pittsburgh & W. Pa., as well as Atlanta accounts. We shared so many hilarious moments and we genuinely enjoyed working together. I stayed in touch for years after employment at Bestform Inc., and I know there were many times I would make him laugh from experiences we shared. I always thought laughter was the best medicine and it made my day to put a smile on Jack's face when I knew he was suffering. He will be missed by all! May my good friend Jack, .....always Rest In Peace!

I was so fortunate to call Jack my friend for many years beginning as salesman at Bestform Foundations Inc, NYC. For a number of years I was a regional sales mgr working with Jack in Pittsburgh & W. Pa., as well as Atlanta accounts. We shared so many hilarious moments and we genuinely enjoyed working together. I stayed in touch for years after Bestform and I know there were many times I would make him laugh from experiences we shared.

I thought that laughter was the best medicine and I always felt good getting off the phone with Jack, my close friend. May he Rest In Peace!

1968 was a pretty good year for me. I met the love of my life, my future husband Rick, and through my relationship with Rick and the Shannon family, I met the Lepor family, neighbors, and good friends of the Shannons. Over the years our family ties are multigenerational. I remember fondly the many summer evenings Rick, his brother and neighborhood friends got together with the “older” guys including Jack for some highly competitive basketball. Though my husband will not admit it to this day, Jack and friends usually won those games! Dear friends of Rick’s parents, we had many social gatherings which included Jack and Sandy’s young daughters who were years younger than Rick and me but enjoyed the friendship equally. The Lepors are family to us. They were at our wedding. They were there when Rick’s dad died, they cared for and looked after Rick’s mom when we moved away, they were there with family when Rick’s mom passed away. Jack was larger than life – I loved his sense of humor. He would tell it like it is no mincing words but always, always, always, making us laugh. Sandy, always the caretaker and nurturer, was and still is so compassionate and selfless – they are without a doubt two of the finest people I know. During Jack’s struggles over the past year, and with the restrictions due to the pandemic we were unable to visit as we had hoped we could do. So, whatt we hung onto was hearing Jack’s humor on a phone call and Sandy’s calm, peaceful demeanor always upbeat we had hope that things were okay. And every day when I saw an e-mail from “theoldcoots” I knew all must be right with the world. And then it wasn’t. And I miss those e-mails, I miss that voice. Our deep, deep love goes out to Sandy, Laura, Lisa, and Leslie. Jack, I am honored to have known you.

The Lepor family and my family were friends and next door neighbors in Monroeville, Pa. beginning in 1960. We were close. Jack, Sandy and the girls, (whom I used to babysit) were like a second family to me and mine. So many wonderful times and memories, but one image of Jack that stands out is when I was seven years old and Jack was this big, bearish guy and an incredible athlete but his daughters were too young to 'throw the horsehide around' so he would often come to our front door in the summer, with ball glove in hand, press his face against the screen door and yell through our house, "Can Stuey come out and play catch!?" That became a running laugh between our households for years. (And I got to be a pretty damn fine ballplayer because of it.) Thank you, Jack. Thank you, Sandy and thank you, girls for being our close friends and family during those precious years and for all time. Love, Stu.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Father I surely miss you I miss our lunch time calls and evening calls
You have gained your wings to early but do know this ... you are no longer in pain or suffering miss you GAGA