Wendell Clay Lehow

1907-2002 (march 9th 2002)

Wendell Clay Lehow was born in Carbondale, Colorado to Henry Clay Lehow and Ora Mae Lehow. He and his friends took advantage of the snow on a local mountain, they tied broom sticks to their boots and went flying.

Wendell's father was a carpenter and they came to California for more work when Wendell was just twelve. Wendell followed his dad around learning his trade. At that time, there were a lot of Lehow’s coming from Colorado at the same time so there were many cousins and family around. He was an active guy at Fremont High School in Los Angeles. He was good at sports and was on the Varsity Baseball team which provided a good “come on” line when he got the courage to talk to a very shy, Thelma Tallman. Thelma became the love of his life and they soon married. They were married for 69 years at Wendell's passing.

Wendell worked in LA with his dad on many projects for some famous and wealthy people. At some point he landed a job at Thermador Electric as a Maintenance Welder and was there during WWII when Thermador changed into a defense plant. He worked at Thermador until his retirement in 1977. Wendell literally walked with happiness and exuberance. He built his family a home in Downey, nearly doing all the work by himself. His family moved into their new home 1953 and he died peacefully at this home that he loved so much.

Wendell lived for his family; he was a wonderful husband and father. He had a very friendly and outgoing personality and neighbors from all around came to him when they had a project that they needed help with. He had built his daughter Linda a playhouse which they moved from Huntington Park to Downey. He also made a beautiful Doll House for his granddaughter, Heather. He made the doll house furniture to scale, and copied someof the family’s favorite furniture. They were miniature masterpieces!

Wendell is survived by his Wife Thelma, their son Robert Lehow (and his wife Patricia) of Downey, CA, his daughter Linda Lehow Guthrie of Laguna Niguel, CA and Grandchildren Neal Guthrie (and his wife Abby) of Eureka, CA and Heather Guthrie Mellem (and her husband Don)of San Clemente, CA as well as his three Great-Grandchildren, Kadie, Hazel and Bennett Mellem.

Wendell was preceded in death by his parents Henry Clay and Ora Mae Lehow and a younger sister Lucille Lehow.

His family and friends will celebrate his life at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier

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