The words coming from Deana Jeffers Willis were far from hollow. She spoke softly and eloquently about lessons she learned from her father, the late Oscar Leonard Jeffers.

 

“The most important thing that all three of us learned from my father for no longer than we had him,” said Willis, “was that you’re supposed to help no matter what. That’s what you’re supposed to do.”

 

As she spoke to a crowd of more than 75 that had gathered on a beautiful day at Hinkle Lake, they all knew that what Oscar Leonard Jeffers taught his three children – Don, Deana and Fran – he had taught in a manner that couldn’t be scripted. While he was never was able to see his children grow into adults, that one key lesson is one that can’t be erased by time from the family’s mind or even the collective thought of the Bridgeport community.

 

The example in question, which took place more than 61 years ago with the untimely death of Oscar Jeffers, led to the gathering of dozens at the edge of Hinkle Lake. They were on hand to remember arguably the most selfless act in the city’s history and the city’s official recognition of it.

 

This evening, the three Jeffers children were on hand as the City of Bridgeport unveiled a granite memorial bench in their father’s honor along the walking trail at Hinkle Lake. The words engraved on the bench and the photo that accompanied it will forever recall what led to this evening’s event.

 

It was back on Jan. 2, 1953 that Oscar Leonard Jeffers gave his life in an attempt to save others. On that day, Jeffers dove into the freezing waters of Hinkle Lake after being flagged down by kids. The kids had let Jeffers know that their friends had fallen into the lake.

 

Three kids that day had went out onto what they thought was a body of water that was frozen solid. All three fell through, while two of their friends that weren’t out on the lake – David Sanders (who was on hand at today’s ceremony) and Jim Gulick – flagged down Jeffers who was in his car. Jeffers, a World War II veteran was fully clothed and recovering from back surgery. Despite that, he dove in and went after the one youth still visible and clinging to the edge of the ice.

 

Although it can’t ever be determined, it’s likely the freezing temperature and water-weighted clothes led Jeffers to being unable to pull the final youngster to safety. In the end, three children perished, as would Jeffers.

 

While Oscar Jeffers' life came to an end, it was proving to be the beginning of what became long and prosperous lives for his children. The prosperity, in part, was aided by those who lived in Bridgeport. As Fran Jeffers Morgan spoke at the ceremony prior to the bench’s unveiling, she talked highly of the community of Bridgeport. The city’s residents, she said, rallied behind the family and made sure that the children and Jeffers’ wife never wanted for anything.

 

“I can only say it over and over, but thank you so very much,” said Morgan.

 

Following words from both of Oscar Jeffers’ daughters, as well as his son Don, the family and many friends and others, gathered for the unveiling of the granite bench, which is situated on a location not far from the area where Jeffers gave his life. The words on the bench are as follow:

 

“More than half a century ago, on a bitterly cold January day, Oscar Leonard Jeffers was stopped near this spot, by youngsters whose friends had fallen through the ice on Hinkle Lake. With no hesitation, Jeffers dove into that frozen body of water where the ice was broken. In an attempt to save the lives of three young boys, John Carlin age 12, Edwin Merchant age 10, and Taylor McCausland age 9, Oscar Jeffers lost his life. While four souls left the earth that day, Oscar Jeffers’ act of heroism remains an act that shall forever stay in the hearts and minds of this community. From that day, to this day, and into the future, let it be known that time shall not erase the memory of a selfless deed in which a man made the ultimate sacrifice for children who were not his own.”

 

Deana Jeffers Willis read what was written to those on hand. Only a few fish jumping from the lake and a light breeze interrupted her. As it turned out, it was a perfect day to pay homage to a day more than 61 years ago. And according to Don Jeffers, it helped produce many memories – some neither he nor his other siblings could recall.

 

“This was such a gracious gesture by the City of Bridgeport and it has helped stir a lot of memories with my family. It’s got us all together, including one sister from Canada (Morgan) and one from near San Diego (Willis),” said Don Jeffers. “We got together last night and recalled things about our father they knew and I knew and we all came up with things about our father that each of us didn’t know.

 

“The really nice thing is seeing so many people and hearing so many things from an event that happened so long ago. I called some people I thought would like to be here, but they told me they were too old to get here,” Jeffers continued. “Even though they couldn’t make it, it’s so nice seeing so many people and you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful day. I think it would have made my father happy.”

 

Considering that today’s memorial was the result of a lot of people helping one another it’s hard to argue that point. After all, it’s the life lesson that a young father gave to his children and, ultimately, a community.

 

Check back to Connect-Bridgeport.com tomorrow for a photo gallery.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Deana Jeffers Willis, Don Jeffers and Fran Jeffers Morgan getting their first glimpse at the memorila, while Deana addresses the crowd in the second photo. In the third photo, Don Jeffers and Fran Morgan listen to a proclamation from the City of Bridgeport being read by Mayor Mario Blount. The bottom photo is of the bench.