Charles Jack Lehman, a prominent business owner in Sequim for 41 years and a dedicated community member, died June 29, 2014, at the age of 80 at his home in Sequim after a lengthly illness.
His grandparents, pioneers from Germany, established the Sequim Meat Company in 1911 and it ran under several names for 90 years until closing in 2001. Lehman graduated from Sequim High School and attended Washington State University, before returning home to join the family business.
In 1958, he married Shirley Govan, from another Sequim pioneer family, and in 1960 they purchased adjoining buildings and opened Lehman’s Thriftway, which became Lehman’s Mark and Pac, then Lehman’s Grocery. The Lehman Building remains on East Washington Street today.
In his youth, Lehman excelled in baseball, basketball and football and as an adult, he refereed SHS basketball games. He was instrumental in establishing Little League football and Babe Ruth baseball programs, often serving as a coach.
For four decades, he was an active member of the community, serving on the board of the Shoreline Management Act and as a volunteer with the Sequim fire department for 25 years. Lehman also volunteered at the Sequim Food Bank and served as its board president for several terms.
He was born Feb. 7, 1934, in Sequim to Alfred and Evelyn (Weekley) Lehman. With his wife Shirley, they had three children, Randy, Melinda and Richard, all of whom followed in their father’s athletic footsteps.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents, brother Donald Lehman and son Randy Lehman. He is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter and son-in-law Melinda and Kevin Dewey and grandson Steve; his son and daughter-in-law Richard and Mary Lehman and their family, Rikki Lehman, Shane Hager, Sara, James and Jon Brabant.
His family invites the community to join them from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Sequim Elks Club, 143 Port Williams Road, to celebrate his life and to share memories with his family.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Welfare for Animals Guild, PO Box 3966, Sequim, WA 98382.Lehman, Sequim business icon, dies
