MEMORIES OF DEXHEIMER SOUGHT MUSIC MAN'S BIG COLLECTION OF FILMS, MUSIC TO BE SOLD.

Byline: Daily News

PALMDALE - Local American Red Cross officials are looking for people's reminisces about longtime Antelope Valley radio personality Loren Dexheimer for a fundraiser to aid American military personnel.

A celebrity locally for his radio shows, as a jazz drummer and as a disc jockey, Dexheimer died in January 2005 at age 70. His widow Jean donated his large collection of vintage movies and music tapes to the Red Cross to benefit its services for military personnel, said Fran Stewart.

The videotapes - which include Tom Mix and Roy Rogers vintage westerns - and audio cassette tapes - of big band music, jazz and other genres - are to be sold at a benefit sale March 10 and 11 at the Palmdale Red Cross office.

The videotapes and music tapes will be put on display those days, with refreshments and photo collages and information about Dexheimer.

In preparation for the event, Red Cross officials are collecting peoples' memories about him. Red Cross officials said people can write down their reminisces in any format and make them as long or as short as they wish. The first six to make submissions will get prizes, Stewart said.

Submissions can be mailed or delivered to the American Red Cross, 2715 E. Ave. P, Palmdale, CA 93550. For more information, call [phone].

Dexheimer was remembered at a separate event Saturday at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center. Bob Noval and his Big Band Orchestra presented their ``Swingin' Valentine'' performance.

A portion of the Lancaster concert proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society in memory of Dexheimer, who had organized a 2001 big-band Valentine's performance in Lancaster.

Dexheimer died after battling throat and tongue cancer for more than two years. His death came a month after he received a lifetime achievement award at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center.

Dexheimer had been a morning disc jockey on High Desert Broadcasting's Radio Station KWJL before his illness.

Dexheimer started playing the drums professionally at the age of 18 in Pasadena. After two years in the U.S. Army, he returned briefly to the Lockheed job he'd left behind when he was drafted. After only a few months, he took a layoff and returned to playing music.

He amassed a private collection of the music played before, during and after the World War II years, more than 30,000 selections.

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In this 2002 photo, former jazz drummer and disc jockey Loren Dexheimer plays the drums. A collection of music and film tapes that belonged to him will be sold, with the proceeds going to aid American military personnel.

Bettie Rencoret/Special to the Daily News