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Slim and Family


(Courtesy of Leota Whitaker Gandrau)

Above from L-to-R are Ethel, daughter Leota, and Slim in a 1939 photo.  Slim was 6' 3" tall and Leota is 5' 10".  Slim's wife Ethel was only 4' 10".  Ethel and Slim divorced in 1944 and she bought a restaurant on San Fernando road in Sunland California.  They remained friends and Slim was often seen having a meal or coffee at the restaurant.


(Courtesy of Leota Whitaker Gandrau)

Above photo from March, 1959. From L-to-R are granddaughter Rose, Slim, daughter Leota, and great granddaughter Debbie.


(Courtesy of Leota Whitaker Gandrau)

Above, another March, 1959 photo with Slim sandwiched between his great granddaughter Debbie (left) and great grandson Bobby (right).


(Courtesy of Leota Whitaker Gandrau)

Above photo from March, 1959 includes Leota and her two daughters. Top L-to-R are Slim, Leota, Debbie, and Leota's daughter Betty. Bottom L-to-R are Leota's husband Roy, Bobby, and Leota's daughter Rose.  Roy loved fishing and hunting and so did Slim.  They would go to Mexico or up to the Sierras on fishing and hunting trips.



(Courtesy of Leota Whitaker Gandrau)
 On the left is Slim's son Chuck, Jr. in a 1938 photo.

Chuck Jr. was employed by the studios as a set builder, a career that lasted about 40 years. He was a union member and supported whatever studio the union assigned him to, and he most often worked at Universal (unless there was a work slow down and he might be assigned to Disney, Warners, etc.).


On the right is wife Ethel with daughter June in a 1943 photo.

June was a deputy on the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department until the early 1960s and then retired to become a housewife.
 
(Courtesy of Leota Whitaker Gandrau)


The Mystery Photo - Who Is 'Frank Cooper'?


(Courtesy of Leota Whitaker Gandrau)

In the photo above, Slim is relaxing on a porch swing in the Whitaker back yard, and the man on the right wearing the cowboy hat is identified as 'Frank Cooper'. The year 1941 is marked on the photo. Perhaps he was just a friend or neighbor ... not a person involved in Hollywood or the B western.



Who is Frank Cooper ???


 Several folks have suggested that 'Frank Cooper' might be Gary Cooper (real name: Frank James Cooper).

To me, he doesn't look at all like Gary Cooper.



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