David E. “Red” Lehr, 83, of New Athens, IL, born Sunday, September 19, 1937 in Tilden, IL, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at his residence in New Athens, IL.
A 1955 graduate of New Athens High School, David “Red” Lehr began his music career at age 5, when he was big enough to stand on an orange crate box and play his daddy’s trombone at the Tilden, IL picnic. In grade school, as the strongest and tallest kid, he began to play the big Conn Sousaphone. His unique technique and showmanship led to concerts with the St. Louis Symphony Pops Orchestra and the Honolulu Symphony. He and Jean Kittrell took the “Jazz Incredibles” to Europe (Scotland, Netherlands, France, England, Italy, and Germany) six times as well as Japan and Canada. While performing at the Breda International Festival in the Netherlands they were voted the most entertaining band. In a poll taken by “The American Rag” jazz newspaper, Red was voted by the fans as their favorite Jazz tuba/sousaphone player. He was also picked to play in the international band at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. Red traveled throughout the U.S. playing jazz festivals and many jazz cruises. Of course, he played in St. Louis and the surrounding area for over 60 years. Red credited Jean Kittrell and Gene Pokorny, principal tuba player in the Chicago Symphony, for much of his success in music, though he gave special kudos to his wife Carolyn.
Red has operated Lehr’s Market in New Athens since 1972 with his wife Carolyn. Their son Jeff joined them in the business in the late 70’s and took over from his father upon his retirement.
Admired by classical as well as jazz musicians, Red has been featured in regional, national, and international conferences of brass instruments in Illinois, Kentucky, and in Ft. Meyers, VA where the Sergeant Major awarded him the “Medal of Excellence” and the General John J. Pershing Founders Medal” during the U.S. Army Band’s International Conference. Red eventually became the leader of the St, Louis Rivermen, and Red Lehr’s Powerhouse Five bands. He made over 25 records, cassettes, and CD’s of his beloved traditional Dixieland Jazz.
He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens, IL and American Legion Post #6632 Red Bud, IL. He was a Veteran whom served in the United States Army.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: Emil and Olivia, nee Spitz, Lehr
- Sister: Helen Lehr
Surviving are his:
- Wife: Carolyn E., nee Beck, Lehr of New Athens, IL
- Children
- Jeff “Red” (Wanda) Lehr of New Athens, IL
- Lori (Thomas) Knapp of Smithton, IL
- Sisters
- Vera Robb of Belleville, IL
- Fern Frick of Mt. Vernon, IL
- Grandchildren
- Aaron Lehr
- Lindsey (Andrew) Hopper
- Olivia Lehr (Fiancé, Corbin Estes)
- Beloved nieces and nephews
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the St. John U.C.C. in New Athens, IL or Family Hospice.
Visitation: Visitation from 3:00 – 8:00 pm, Friday, January 8, 2021 at St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens, IL and from 9:00 – 11:00 am Saturday, January 9, 2021 at St. Johns U.C.C. in New Athens, IL.
COVID-19 restrictions will be followed, masks required, and social distancing. Please be respectful of time and do not linger so others may pay their respects to the family.
Funeral: Due to Covid-19, all services are private. Live streaming can be viewed at www.facebook.com/KurrusFH at 11am on Saturday, January 9, 2021 with Rev. Dr. Robert Koch and Rev. Dr. Donald Wagner officiating. Interment at Oakridge Cemetery, New Athens, IL.
32 Comments To "David “Red” Lehr"
#1 Comment By Chad Wischmeyer On January 7, 2021 @ 4:55 am
A great man loved by so many. My condolences to the family. I will miss laughing with you Red. Loved your humor.
#2 Comment By Sandra & Rob Herling On January 7, 2021 @ 7:43 am
Jeff, I’m so sorry to hear about you father. He will be missed by so many people and was such an amazing person with a heart of gold. My first memories of him were from my father, Harvey Otten, when dad use to bring me meat from Red Lehr’s meat market. Please know that prayers and hugs are coming your way to you and your family at this difficult time. ??
#3 Comment By Don Hood On January 7, 2021 @ 9:28 am
May he Rest In Peace God Bless and so sorry for your loss
#4 Comment By Mark Stehl On January 7, 2021 @ 9:34 am
Red, so very sorry for your loss. Your dad was always so jovial and brought a smile to everyone wherever he went. He definitely was one in a million. May he RIP. My sincere prayers and condolences to you and your family. God Bless. ??
#5 Comment By Marcia Owens On January 7, 2021 @ 9:36 am
Dear Lori:
So sorry to hear of your loss. May God give you strength and comfort.
#6 Comment By Lori Lehr-Knapp On January 8, 2021 @ 7:25 am
Thank you Marcia! Great to hear from you! Red was truly one of kind!
#7 Comment By Marvetta Hawk On January 7, 2021 @ 9:58 am
Someone so special can never be forgotten. May your memories give you peace and comfort. We want to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family.
Marvetta & Frank
#8 Comment By Mary Deffley Kurfess On January 7, 2021 @ 10:23 am
We extend our sympathy to David’s wife Carolyn and his children, and to Vera and Fern. My parents, Harry and Barbara (Lehr) Deffley enjoyed hearing David play. Dad says David played the sousaphone “like a trumpet” – an amazing talent.
#9 Comment By Mike Buettner On January 7, 2021 @ 10:44 am
A great talent and nicest guy you would ever want to meet. He raised a great family, made some really good sausage, and put a smile on many faces. RIP Red. Our Condolences to Jeff and the rest of the extended family.
#10 Comment By Diane Van Damme On January 7, 2021 @ 12:22 pm
Carolyn, Jeff and Lori, I am truly sorry for this great loss. He was a wonderful, kind person. I’m sure he will be missed
#11 Comment By Louis Frick On January 7, 2021 @ 1:15 pm
Red’s group brought great joy to the First United Methodists Church in Vandalia Il. While I was pastor, back in the “90”es. Sorry for the family’s loss, but thankful for his gifts to our world. He will be missed! Rev Louis Frick
#12 Comment By glenn w walker On January 7, 2021 @ 4:42 pm
Deepest Sympathy
#13 Comment By Kim Fitzgerald On January 7, 2021 @ 5:35 pm
Carolyn, Jeff, and Lori –
I am so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of spending time with your family when I was young and to this day, can recite classic “Red Lehr jokes” which I’m absolutely convinced he made up himself. Red brought much laughter to his world but I know he was a good husband and father. . Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Kim (Meyer) Fitzgerald
#14 Comment By Tina Hillebrandt & Denise Dorf On January 7, 2021 @ 5:44 pm
Growing up in the Tilden Methodist Church with David playing the tuba along with his beautiful talented family’s was a faith foundation in “Singing to the Lord” We thank God for the many gifts He gave to David. We thank David for sharing his God given talents so freely with the world. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Much love, Bonnie’s girls ❤️✝️❤️
#15 Comment By Larry and Martha, Melvin and Dorothy Wagner On January 7, 2021 @ 6:59 pm
The Wagner family would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Carolyn Jeff and Lori at this time of their loss. Anyone who knew red loved him.
#16 Comment By Michelle Boisseau On January 7, 2021 @ 7:17 pm
A very good man who was loved my many..who always brightened up your day. Our condolences to the lehr family..gone but never forgotten..the boisseaus
#17 Comment By Daryl & Verleen Bollmeier On January 7, 2021 @ 9:45 pm
Our deepest sympathy to Carolyn, Jeff, and Lori. Not only was he a great musician but also a very special person who was loved by many. Always loved listening to his music.
#18 Comment By Chiyoko Louise Gussin née Miller On January 7, 2021 @ 11:57 pm
Jeff, please accept my heartfelt condolences at the passing of your father. He led a wonderful and memorable life.
#19 Comment By Lori Lehr-Knapp On January 8, 2021 @ 7:30 am
So wonderful to hear from loving friends, meat market customers, and fans! He adored you all!
The family is so appreciative of your special memories. Dad touched everyone he met….and you can fill it in from there!❤️
#20 Comment By Richard Stoops On January 8, 2021 @ 7:54 am
The Stoops family shares in your sorrow. Red brought so much happiness and laughter to all. We will miss him and remember him always!
#21 Comment By Diane Schaefer On January 8, 2021 @ 8:08 am
Lehr Family,
What a wonderful man! He always had a smile on his face and never met a stranger. May you find comfort and peace in his memories and the life that he led. Truly sad that I will not get to speak with him again on this earth. Prayers for healing.
#22 Comment By Bernie Wilde On January 8, 2021 @ 10:09 am
I remember Red from playing with Jean Kittrell on the Robert E Lee. They always had a crowd and the music was so entertaining. I will always remember how great the tuba player was while Jean sang those old favorites.
#23 Comment By Bernie Wilde On January 8, 2021 @ 10:11 am
I will always remember when Red played that tuba and Jean Kittrell sang and played the piano down at the Robert E Lee boat. He made the old tunes “Pop” and he played so enthusiastically!!!! Great times! Etched in my memory forever.
#24 Comment By Mike Lynch On January 8, 2021 @ 10:47 am
Carolyn, Lori, Jeff,
Since I have known him, and from some of his own stories, even starting as a young boy, Red been a force of nature, with a personality as big as he was physically. That huge personality stays with all of us who knew him.
Red brought happiness to so many thousands through his music. But Red touched the lives of those, and many more, through his kindness and humor. To deal with this time of sadness, Red left us great memories and his music. It’s hard to not feel a little better when you’re listening to one of Red’s solos; and it’s almost impossible not to smile when Red rips through Tiger Rag.
We miss you terribly, Red; but we are grateful for all you have given us, that we will continue to treasure going forward.
#25 Comment By Judy Matzenbacher On January 8, 2021 @ 3:52 pm
So many people loved Red for his music, his sense of humor, his honorable way of conducting his business, the time and friendship he was so generous with. God continue to bless your family. You know how blessed you were to have had him. Our prayers and sympathy. Arnold and Judy Matzenbacher
#26 Comment By Becky Brown On January 8, 2021 @ 7:26 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Red’s passing. He was such a wonderful man. I knew Red from the jazz shows and the festivals in Decatur IL and I always looked forward to one of his big bear hugs, watching him play so magically and hearing his many jokes. Red was always so special to me and the entire Brown family. My dad passed away in July and I know these two are having a good time now. My sincere sympathies to Carolyn and his family. He will be missed by so many.
Becky Brown
#27 Comment By Rochelle Kunkelmann On January 8, 2021 @ 7:50 pm
He was such a great man, always had a smile and never met a stranger. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
#28 Comment By Bob and Joyce Dintelmann On January 8, 2021 @ 8:09 pm
Our sympathy to all the family. Red was always fun to talk with. As a high school sousaphone player I really appreciated and admired what he did with that beautifully sounding instrument. May God bless you all.
Joyce and Bob Dintelmann
#29 Comment By Philip Legendre On January 10, 2021 @ 6:00 pm
A great musician has played his last note, but his music lives on. He was not only a great presence, but also a wonderful person. He leaves Carolyn, Jeff, Lori and the grandchildren with wonderful memories. May he make great music in heaven.
#30 Comment By Becky Shryock McGarrity On January 18, 2021 @ 4:56 pm
Lori Lehr, so very sorry to hear about your dad! I remember his smile at VB games when he watched you play!!!! I’m sure you have many great memories, but it is still hard! Prayers for you and your family!!!
#31 Comment By David Weyhaupt On January 25, 2021 @ 6:13 pm
So many memories of time spent visiting him at work and home. Sending you peace until you can find it in your hearts.
#32 Comment By Marc & Ursula Garcia On October 30, 2021 @ 8:02 pm
Our sympathy to all the family. (We just found out about the passing of Red.) Red was a beautiful soul and a fantastic musician. Red, you will be missed, but I know your having the time of your life up above, and making everyone smile!