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OBITUARY
Don Lederman, deputy who guarded Ruby, dies
By Joe Simnacher
Staff Writer of The Dallas Morning News
Don Lederman knew he had stomach cancer before he was diagnosed.
The retired Dallas County sheriff's deputy knew his symptoms matched
those of a prisoner he had guarded: Jack Ruby, who was charged with shooting Lee
Harvey Oswald.
Mr. Lederman, 67, died Saturday of stomach cancer at his Mesquite home. He will
be buried in Calvary Hill Memorial Park.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Plus
X Catholic Church in Dallas for Mr. Lederman.
Born in Dallas, Mr. Lederman attended high school in Carrollton.
After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korea War, Mr. Lederman was
commissioned a deputy sheriff on July 1, 1956. He was a deputy for more than 27
years, first serving as a patrolman and then as a bailiff. He then became
a sergeant.
Mr. Lederman played cards and dominoes with Mr. Ruby, who was guarded by
deputies, said Mr. Lederman's daughter, Pat Martin of Mesquite.
"Jack Ruby would get my dad to bring him sandwiches, because he was afraid the
jail would poison him," Mrs. Martin said.
Ironically, Mr. Ruby was under suicide watch at the time.
Mrs. Martin said her dad had two passions: his family and being a deputy.
"It was in his blood," she said.
In addition to hs daughter Mr. Lederman is survived by his wife, Jeanne Nichols
Lederman of Mesquite another daughter Mary Tucker of Garland; sons Andy Lederman
of Kemp, Texas, Gary Lederman of Garland and Robert Lederman of Mesquite;
sisters Barbara Stubbs of Highland Park; and Erlene Braziel fo Irving; a brother
Harold Lederman of Richardson; and 13 grandchildren.
Submitted by Charline (Cox) Shehane
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