1999 Henry “Legs” James LeGrue’s obituary by Garry Langille

1999 The Alaska state legislature honors Henry “Legs” LeGrue’s life.

The early years 1940’s and 1950’s. Henry “Legs” LeGrue joined the US Navy during WWII and remained in the service until he retired.

The early years 1940’s and 1950’s. Henry “Legs” LeGrue joined the US Navy during WWII and remained in the service until he retired.

The early years 1940’s and 1950’s. Henry “Legs” LeGrue joined the US Navy during WWII and remained in the service until he retired.

In 1948 Legs was the top of his class from cooks and bakers school in the USN.

In 1948 Legs was the top of his class from cooks and bakers school in the USN.

In 1948 Leg’s first Thanksgiving dinner served in Kodiak at the US Naval Base.

In 1948 Leg’s first Thanksgiving dinner served in Kodiak at the US Naval Base.

In 1957 Legs and his wife Edie bought the Beachcombers a bar and grill. The bar would open on Friday night and stay open around the clock till Monday when the customers returned to their jobs. It was common to nap at the bar as you can see in these photos. The building was a log cabin built in 1933 and had “modern” siding on the exterior.

In 1957 Legs and his wife Edie bought the Beachcombers a bar and grill. The bar would open on Friday night and stay open around the clock till Monday when the customers returned to their jobs. It was common to nap at the bar as you can see in these photos. The building was a log cabin built in 1933 and had “modern” siding on the exterior.

In 1957 Legs and his wife Edie bought the Beachcombers a bar and grill. The bar would open on Friday night and stay open around the clock till Monday when the customers returned to their jobs. It was common to nap at the bar as you can see in these photos. The building was a log cabin built in 1933 and had “modern” siding on the exterior.

In 1957 Legs and his wife Edie bought the Beachcombers a bar and grill. The bar would open on Friday night and stay open around the clock till Monday when the customers returned to their jobs. It was common to nap at the bar as you can see in these photos. The building was a log cabin built in 1933 and had “modern” siding on the exterior.

In 1957 Legs and his wife Edie bought the Beachcombers a bar and grill. The bar would open on Friday night and stay open around the clock till Monday when the customers returned to their jobs. It was common to nap at the bar as you can see in these photos. The building was a log cabin built in 1933 and had “modern” siding on the exterior.

In 1963 Beachcomber staff Christmas party Raymond, Jeanette and Antoinette LeGrue, Norma Brunner, Karen

1963 Beachcomber staff Christmas party Raymond, Jeanette and Antoinette LeGrue, Norma Brunner, Karen

1963 Legs cooking in old Beachcombers kitchen in the log building. Wilma

1963 Legs holding Kodiak King Crab in the Beachcomber’s parking lot.

1964 The earthquake and tidal wave destroyed Henrys “Legs” and Edie LeGrue’s home and business. Both buildings were washed about a quarter mile into Potato Patch Lake. Their house is in the center of the photo a mobile home is smashed into the far side of the house. The business was in the building on the far right. Between the first and second wave Legs and two band members returned to the building and placed the musical instruments on chairs on the elevated stage. The idea was to keep them dry, the next day the building and instruments were gone!! Only the front portion of the building is in the photo, the back half was never found. They were burned in place. At the far right is where the Beachcomber was beached 9 months later.

1964 The earthquake and tidal wave destroyed Henrys “Legs” and Edie LeGrue’s home and business. Both buildings were washed about a quarter mile into Potato Patch Lake. Their house is in the center of the photo a mobile home is smashed into the far side of the house. The business was in the building on the far right. Between the first and second wave Legs and two band members returned to the building and placed the musical instruments on chairs on the elevated stage. The idea was to keep them dry, the next day the building and instruments were gone!! Only the front portion of the building is in the photo, the back half was never found. They were burned in place. At the far right is where the Beachcomber was beached 9 months later.

1964 The earthquake and tidal wave destroyed Henrys “Legs” and Edie LeGrue’s home and business. Both buildings were washed about a quarter mile into Potato Patch Lake. Their house is in the center of the photo a mobile home is smashed into the far side of the house. The business was in the building on the far right. Between the first and second wave Legs and two band members returned to the building and placed the musical instruments on chairs on the elevated stage. The idea was to keep them dry, the next day the building and instruments were gone!! Only the front portion of the building is in the photo, the back half was never found. They were burned in place. At the far right is where the Beachcomber was beached 9 months later.

1964 Dec. Henry “Legs” LeGrue brings a 251-foot-long princess liner to Kodiak and parks her where his house sat before the earthquake. The feat was almost impossible, but Legs was very lucky. The ship hit a sand bar and was almost lost. She was parked on the highest tide of the year so there was no hope of refloating her if she ran aground. These photos were given to me 25 years later by Mrs. Horn. Notice the telephone poles the power lines were lowered to allow the ship to cross Mission Road. The ship operation closed in 1976 unable to fund a sprinkler system required by the fire Marshall.

1964 Dec. Henry “Legs” LeGrue brings a 251-foot-long princess liner to Kodiak and parks her where his house sat before the earthquake. The feat was almost impossible, but Legs was very lucky. The ship hit a sand bar and was almost lost. She was parked on the highest tide of the year so there was no hope of refloating her if she ran aground. These photos were given to me 25 years later by Mrs. Horn. Notice the telephone poles the power lines were lowered to allow the ship to cross Mission Road. The ship operation closed in 1976 unable to fund a sprinkler system required by the fire Marshall.

1964 Dec. Henry “Legs” LeGrue brings a 251-foot-long princess liner to Kodiak and parks her where his house sat before the earthquake. The feat was almost impossible, but Legs was very lucky. The ship hit a sand bar and was almost lost. She was parked on the highest tide of the year so there was no hope of refloating her if she ran aground. These photos were given to me 25 years later by Mrs. Horn. Notice the telephone poles the power lines were lowered to allow the ship to cross Mission Road. The ship operation closed in 1976 unable to fund a sprinkler system required by the fire Marshall.

1964 Dec. Henry “Legs” LeGrue brings a 251-foot-long princess liner to Kodiak and parks her where his house sat before the earthquake. The feat was almost impossible, but Legs was very lucky. The ship hit a sand bar and was almost lost. She was parked on the highest tide of the year so there was no hope of refloating her if she ran aground. These photos were given to me 25 years later by Mrs. Horn. Notice the telephone poles the power lines were lowered to allow the ship to cross Mission Road. The ship operation closed in 1976 unable to fund a sprinkler system required by the fire Marshall.