Beloved grandfather of Kurt, he had a "KURT WAS HERE" sticker on his window. A lifelong resident of Montesano, when he was a teenager, he lived above the Grays Harbor county jail with his father, Art, who was a deputy and also the jailer. Leland knew all the deputies, including Carlton Stearns. Sheriff Jeff Bartell kept 2 baby alligators in a glass case in the office, a deputy name of Joe Cartell used to get 15 year old Leland down on the floor and hold one of these alligators up to his ear to chew on it. one time Leland got tired of it and punched Joe out in the alley. Leland was sometimes allowed to lock up the huge old rolling door of the jail. His father was tragically killed, there were no records of him being in the sheriff's dept. Art and another fallen officer were forgotten about for 73 years until it was brought to light again when I went to the sheriff's dept. with the info. the present day Sheriff Wheelan presented a letter of recognition to Leland for his father's service, and also posed with him for a photo for the policeman's newsletter. Leland married Iris in Montesano on August 26, 1944. He was in the U S MARINE CORPS in WW11. He was also in the Aberdeen Fire Dept. Every year Leland received tons of letters from around the world from Kurt's fans. He answered every one and enjoyed them all very much. you are welcome to make copies for family genealogy purposes only..
Beloved grandfather of Kurt, he had a "KURT WAS HERE" sticker on his window. A lifelong resident of Montesano, when he was a teenager, he lived above the Grays Harbor county jail with his father, Art, who was a deputy and also the jailer. Leland knew all the deputies, including Carlton Stearns. Sheriff Jeff Bartell kept 2 baby alligators in a glass case in the office, a deputy name of Joe Cartell used to get 15 year old Leland down on the floor and hold one of these alligators up to his ear to chew on it. one time Leland got tired of it and punched Joe out in the alley. Leland was sometimes allowed to lock up the huge old rolling door of the jail. His father was tragically killed, there were no records of him being in the sheriff's dept. Art and another fallen officer were forgotten about for 73 years until it was brought to light again when I went to the sheriff's dept. with the info. the present day Sheriff Wheelan presented a letter of recognition to Leland for his father's service, and also posed with him for a photo for the policeman's newsletter. Leland married Iris in Montesano on August 26, 1944. He was in the U S MARINE CORPS in WW11. He was also in the Aberdeen Fire Dept. Every year Leland received tons of letters from around the world from Kurt's fans. He answered every one and enjoyed them all very much. you are welcome to make copies for family genealogy purposes only..
Gravesite Details
inurnment in the family plot.
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