luther(wimpy)Lassiters pool table

wrldpro

wrldpro

H.RUN 311/Diamond W.R.
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I just got back from Elizabeth City nc and was over Mike lassiters house (wimpys nephew) and got to play on wimpys table.It was a 5x10 gandy sportsman that was made for wimpy.It had the same cloth on it the day that wimpy died next to it.The table was double shimmed a pretty tough to play on considering the age of the ols nap cloth not simonis.Mike had told me that wimpy was practicing on it everyday until he died and that one day when he was watching his uncle wimpy play straight pool wimpy ran 500 on it and quit.Now I have heard of alot of stories about pool but in this case wimpy was a gentleman and would have had no reason to lie about his run as when wimpy won a pool tourney he usually gave his trophys away as he really didnt care to have them.Mike had a few of wimpys trophys from the days and all of them were either broken up or rusted.mike did have alot of articles and pictures laying in a box that I told him he should frame and I told him I would help him with.It was an honor to play on the table and I managed to run a few racks but it was very difficiult.

Bobby Chamberlain
 
Wow, that is cool to be able to play on Lassiter's own table. I hope you said a silent prayer to the pool gods beforehand.
 
I imagine those old trophies could bring some coin if he ever decides to sell them, rusted or not.
 
pictures?

wrldpro said:
I just got back from Elizabeth City nc and was over Mike lassiters house (wimpys nephew) and got to play on wimpys table.It was a 5x10 gandy sportsman that was made for wimpy.It had the same cloth on it the day that wimpy died next to it.The table was double shimmed a pretty tough to play on considering the age of the ols nap cloth not simonis.Mike had told me that wimpy was practicing on it everyday until he died and that one day when he was watching his uncle wimpy play straight pool wimpy ran 500 on it and quit.Now I have heard of alot of stories about pool but in this case wimpy was a gentleman and would have had no reason to lie about his run as when wimpy won a pool tourney he usually gave his trophys away as he really didnt care to have them.Mike had a few of wimpys trophys from the days and all of them were either broken up or rusted.mike did have alot of articles and pictures laying in a box that I told him he should frame and I told him I would help him with.It was an honor to play on the table and I managed to run a few racks but it was very difficiult.

Bobby Chamberlain
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Bobby,

A great story but please tell us you took a picture or two?

Hu
 
wrldpro said:
I just got back from Elizabeth City nc and was over Mike lassiters house (wimpys nephew) and got to play on wimpys table.It was a 5x10 gandy sportsman that was made for wimpy.It had the same cloth on it the day that wimpy died next to it.The table was double shimmed a pretty tough to play on considering the age of the ols nap cloth not simonis.Mike had told me that wimpy was practicing on it everyday until he died and that one day when he was watching his uncle wimpy play straight pool wimpy ran 500 on it and quit.Now I have heard of alot of stories about pool but in this case wimpy was a gentleman and would have had no reason to lie about his run as when wimpy won a pool tourney he usually gave his trophys away as he really didnt care to have them.Mike had a few of wimpys trophys from the days and all of them were either broken up or rusted.mike did have alot of articles and pictures laying in a box that I told him he should frame and I told him I would help him with.It was an honor to play on the table and I managed to run a few racks but it was very difficiult.

Bobby Chamberlain
Click to expand...

Bobby,

Did you inquire about the 4x8 table that was in his brother's house? I heard a little different story about when Wimpy died. Just wondering. Wimpy himself used to say that he preferred to practice on the eight foot table because, "He got his cue ball." Meaning he could perfect his position play on that table.
 
What an honor for you to have been able to play on Wimpy's personal table. My family is from NC and my dad knew Wimpy. When my dad was the commander of the local American Legion, many years ago in he early to mid 60's, he told me he bought enough drinks for Wimpy one night that he actually was able to beat him. I was a teenager when Dad told me that and I had no idea who wimpy was. I just know dad used to whip my ass every game we played on the table in our garage that he got for fathers day. Now 40 years later I think I'd give Dad a good run for his money. Ahhhhhhhhh! Sweet memories. Miss you dad.
 
I've got an uncle in Elizabeth City, NC. Planning on visiting him and other family and friends in NC and VA next year. I'll have to check the phone book and see if I can locate that nephew of Wimpy's. That would be so awesome. Where I'm at now in Reno, Nevada is a long ways away.
 
Ok let me answer some of these questions.none of the trophys or anything else is for sale trust me i asked.Yes it was an honor to play on the table.Yes I took a couple of pictures and even videoed a couple of racks on my cell phone and I will try to get them posted soon.As for you Jay I dont know of any 4x8 table that Wimpy owned or practiced on.I do know that Wimpy was playing pool when he died because his nephew was with him and left and came back and Wimpy was laid down on the floor unresponsive.
 
Thanks!

wrldpro said:
Ok let me answer some of these questions.none of the trophys or anything else is for sale trust me i asked.Yes it was an honor to play on the table.Yes I took a couple of pictures and even videoed a couple of racks on my cell phone and I will try to get them posted soon.As for you Jay I dont know of any 4x8 table that Wimpy owned or practiced on.I do know that Wimpy was playing pool when he died because his nephew was with him and left and came back and Wimpy was laid down on the floor unresponsive.
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Thanks for the additional information. I look forward to the pictures and video.

Hu
 
"I watch a man shoot pool for an hour. If he misses more than one shot I know I can beat him"--Luther Lassiter

A legend of the game!
 
I'll wager it sent a chill down your spine when you hit a ball on it.
In 1967, when I was in the Navy, a couple of shipmates and I took the bus to downtown Norfolk and paid a visit to St. Elmo's poolhall, which was only a block or two from our destination, the Navy YMCA.
We went up a very high double flight of stairs and when we walked through the door we were immediately whisked back in time into a poolroom right out of the 1940's.
It was a large dark room, with clouds of cigar and cigarette smoke wafting across the table lights. The floor was tiled, and there were no tv's or juke boxes. All you heard was a chattering cacophony of voices, punctuated by an occasional expletive, or a request for a rack.
One of us asked about Luther Lassiter, and someone said he wasn't here but pointed towards the corner of the room where there was a covered table and a locker. He said that was where Mr. Lassiter practiced when he was in town.
 
wrldpro said:
Ok let me answer some of these questions.none of the trophys or anything else is for sale trust me i asked.Yes it was an honor to play on the table.Yes I took a couple of pictures and even videoed a couple of racks on my cell phone and I will try to get them posted soon.As for you Jay I dont know of any 4x8 table that Wimpy owned or practiced on.I do know that Wimpy was playing pool when he died because his nephew was with him and left and came back and Wimpy was laid down on the floor unresponsive.
Click to expand...


The 4x8 was in his brother Charle's house. This is where Wimpy lived when he got older.
 
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