My grandfather, Benjamin Adelbert Gray, worked for Jevne’s Grocery Store at 40 Spring Street. He and his family, including my mother, Maurine Gray Whitt, now 100 years old, lived at that time on Bunker Hill, near the store. My grandfather drove a small delivery vehicle, in those days known as a panel truck. Many of the customers ordered groceries delivered to their homes. Portions of the Jevne Grocery Store were eventually incorporated into Ralphs Grocery Store. I took special joy in seeing the old Ralphs TV ads which, looking back, pictured their Model-T panel truck and its driver on his way to deliver groceries. He never tired of telling of his career in the grocery business.

My grandfather’s real career was as a tailor. Preferring to work for himself, he specialized in custom made quality fancy clothing for women. His artistic work gained him a steady waiting list of clients. He worked well into his eighties in the Los Angeles area. He died in 1976.

My grandfather befriended another employee of the Jevne grocery, LeRoy Cleveland, who was to be a long-time resident of Glendale. After working at Jevne’s he enjoyed a long career with the U.S. Postal Service.