In Memory of James LeVach
(AKA Pennsylvania Pistolero) 

Very few people embodied the hobby and sport of airguns the way that James did. He was a collector and hobbyist in the truest sense of the word. It seemed that every time I got on the phone with him, he would start the conversation by telling me about his latest acquisition. If there was an airgun he did not own...or had not owned in the past...I never knew it.

On the forums he was well known as Pennsylvania Pistolero; one of the most helpful and trusted people on the board. I don't know anyone who has not done a deal with him. As a matter of fact...he did so much business with people that when he said he wanted something we had...everyone I knew would not even wait for his payment. We would just ship it out. We knew he was good for it and payment would be forthcoming.

When my wife Jane past away in April of 2007, James was one of the people who began posting on the forums...telling my friends about my loss when I could not. He called me daily for weeks to see how I was holding up. He was also one of a handful of guys who chipped in and purchased a very thoughtful gift in her memory that I still treasure.

In the months after Jane passed away...and my interest in airguns waned...I lost touch with James. It was not until I heard that he had taken a turn for the worst and was in the hospital that I contacted him again. Over the last two months we were able to talk a few more times. And although in each of the conversations he seemed upbeat...I could tell he was scared.

When my friend Dan called me tonight and told me of his passing; on this the one year anniversary of my dad's passing, I find myself wishing I had had at least one more talk with him. He was a kind and caring person and I am a better person for having known him.

Joel Lively. January 7th, 2009

From Theodore L. Summers:
Here is a copy of his obituary.   The obituary is dated 12/17/2008.

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