Les Steele Has Touched Many Llives

There was a story on the front page of the paper last week about accounts being established for musician Les Steele.

I’ve talked to many people about Les since he was hospitalized several weeks ago after complications from an automobile accident. It seems he has touched many lives.

Mr. Steele was band director at Jasper County High School for many years. He left that school, and taught for a time at Putnam County. Then he ended up at Georgia Military College.

For the last several years, he has worked there, helping them with the music program, sound system, and such, but not actually teaching. He has been part-time, and they love him, and he loves them.

The Monticello Kiwanis Club will again this year sponsor an Easter sunrise service. As long as Kiwanis has been doing that, Mr. Steele has provided the music. Mr. Steele won’t be able to help out this year.

The Market on the Square opens on the second Saturday in May. For years, Mr. Steele has provided music at the market many Saturdays during the summer. Hopefully, he will be able to this year…it remains to be seen. But, he won’t be there opening weekend.

Mr. Steele was the sound man, and often accompanist, for the Kiwanis Talent Show every year until this year. Current band director Chris Savage thankfully volunteered to fill those large shoes and did an excellent job. Goes to prove the show must go on. But, Mr. Steele has touched numerous children’s lives helping with that through the years.

He, alone and with his band, has visited nursing homes throughout the area monthly to provide music to the residents. He and the late Bobby Sauls often made music together at churches, nursing homes, and other places.

JoAnn Sauls, Bobby’s widow, and I were talking about the children and adult’s lives Mr. Steele has touched, and agreed that if everyone whose life he has touched gave just $1, that would be enough to help him with his out-of-pocket expenses, and whatever insurance does not cover from this extended hospital stay and recuperation. It would be enough to allay his worries.

Both of Mr. Steele’s legs were amputated. It will take a lot of therapy for him to be back up and around. Carrying sound equipment in a wheelchair won’t be easy. He’ll need physical help along with financial assistance as time goes on.

But, the man still has plenty of fight in him, and people all around are lifting him up in their thoughts and prayers. I am asking the same today. Please continue to lift Mr. Steele up, and maybe drop a dollar or two by either local bank to help him out. And, if you’re so inclined, take up where he left off, touching the life of a child or adult.

And, if you want to visit with Mr. Steele, he is currently in a swing bed at Jasper Memorial Hospital, and would welcome a visit from an old or new friend.