Jim Lash was a talented artist even when his other talents were obscured by Alzheimer's disease.

He specialized in water colors. And his paintings for the Memories in the Making Project earned about $24,000 when sold at auction to benefit the Rocky Mountain Alz- heimer's Association.

Now, Lash is a memory.

He died Nov. 18 at age 85.

James Lash Jr. was born Aug. 21, 1923, in Middletown, Ohio, to James and Edith Lash.

His mother died early on. He was raised by two aunts and then his stepmother, Erma.

He worked as a paper hanger and painter for his father, joining the Army in 1943. He served in Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe.

He got out in 1945, moved back to Ohio and studied at the Columbus College of Art and Design.

Shortly after he finished school, he met and married Annie Ruth Lackey. They later divorced.

He remained a devoted father to the end of his life.

"He always worked two jobs, so he wasn't home a lot during the week," said his daughter, Karetta Lee, of Oviedo, Fla. "On weekends, it was the highlight for my dad to come and take me for a ride. He'd tell me stories and buy me ice cream."

Mr. Lash was hired by the U.S. Postal Service, transferring to Denver in 1964. He retired in 1975.

He worked two more years, helping redesign the mail system at Gulf Oil Co.

He was a member of Shorter Community AME Church and a 32nd degree Mason of Gloria Lodge No. 89 in Columbus, Ohio. He was a Mason for more than 50 years.

He doted on his children, whom he called "my three sweet girls."

But he also instilled in them a strong work ethic and passed on principles about how to live life honorably and honestly.

"He was always prepared and planning ahead in taking care of us girls so we could grow up and take care of ourselves," Lee said.

Daughter Donna White of Richmond, Ind., recalled an early memory of her father, who took her on a train ride from Columbus to Dayton, Ohio.

"In the dining car, we had finished breakfast. As we got up from the table, I noticed Daddy had left two quarters on the table. I asked him, 'Can I have it?' And he said it was a tip for the waiter. I didn't understand then. The lesson I learned was that it's better to give than to receive. The more you give, the more God gives to you."

Lash had many talents.

He was a photographer and teacher, taught Sunday school, coached basketball and was a Boy Scout leader. In 1968, he helped found the Metro Denver Child Care Association, the forerunner of the Mile High association.

He received the layman of the year award at the AME Zion Church national conference in 1984 in Denver.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2004.

Survivors include three daughters, Edith Gray, of Denver, Donna White, of Richmond, Ind., and Karetta Lee, of Oviedo, Fla.; one brother, Ellsworth, of Island Park, Ill., one step-brother, Roland Jackson, of Columbus, Ohio; one step-sister, Alice-Renelda Mariano, of Columbus; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Donations: James M. Lash Visual Arts Pavilion for Seniors, Wells Fargo Bank, 1001 S. Monaco Parkway, Denver, CO 80224.