Jefferson Schlesinger

Jefferson S. Schlesinger, devoted husband of the late Jessie Merle Schlesinger (nee Nothern),

peacefully passed in his sleep on Friday, August 3, 2012, at 5:43 pm CDT. Born to Sara R. and Isadore Schlesinger in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on March 18, 1906, just after midnight, Rocky Mountain time, he was 106 years of age. This Pioneer Cereal Chemist was educated at the Saint John's Military School in Salina, Kansas,and (briefly) at Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas. He was employed by: H.D. Lee Flour Mills, in Salina, Morrison Milling Company, in Denton, Texas, Arkansas City Flour Mills, in Arkansas City, Kansas, and Union Equity Grain Cooperative, here in Enid.

Jeff and Jessie moved to Enid in the late fifties of the last century. They were in their fifties,

too. He built a limestone house on a corner lot at 1500 Pawnee. He designed the laboratory at Union

Equity and oversaw its construction. The laboratory attracted students and visitors from around the

world. He ran it until his retirement in 1971. Although he had been an early member of Civitan, he was less active after he retired. They became active in the Republican Party, lending their efforts and endorsements to many Republican campaigns. Jeff was well known for his letters to the editors of this newspaper. In the summer of 1995 they moved to Golden Oaks on North Oakwood Road where Jeff was actively involved in the residents' organization. He was also known for his little annual booklets of

poetry and philosophy which he gave to his many friends. Jeff was proud of his family: his daughter, Doris Herrick, of The Villages, Florida; his son, James Wm. Schlesinger, and daughter-in-law, Laura Schlesinger, of Brookline, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren: William Herrick, David Herrick, Susan Herrick (& Troy) Iuliucci, Sarah Schlesinger, Jessica Schlesinger Grill, Rebekah Schlesinger (& Matthew Battles), the late Judith Schlesinger (& Eric Rosenthal); and seven great-grandchildren: Jennifer, Elias, Adam, Judith, Oliver, Henry, and Esli. Also surviving is Jessie's sister, Mildred Nothern Mitchell and her husband Glen, of Salina, Kansas. Jeff would want to acknowledge his love for Jessie's family: all of the descendants of the late Drell A. and Eva C. Nothern of Salina, Kansas.

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A gathering of Remembrance of Jeff Schlesinger by his family, friends, and neighbors will

be held at the Golden Oaks Chapel on Saturday, August 18, at 2 pm. All are welcome. No flowers or

gifts are appropriate. On that day be especially kind to and tolerant of your loved ones. Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.