Remembered in Dallas and Beyond ...
June 5, 2009
Longhorn Camera exchange became a well-known establishment in Dallas, and camera enthusiasts visited often to discuss the merchandise, and sometimes to trade cameras, lenses, or other technical devices that were extremely well-crafted, or unique in some way.
Sadly, David Gitelman suffered from heart disease, and around early 1961 experienced a heart attack. At the time, medical technology was not advanced enough to treat the condition effectively. He died from another heart attack in July 1961.
My family recalled that day well: at that time, the Dallas Fire Department were the city's paramedics, and they were called when David became suddenly very ill one morning.
Maxine took over the store for a short time, and made arrangements to sell the business. Some of the people who helped her, such as an accountant and an attorney, asked for their fee ... in cameras. A lawyer who handled the business matters requested two high-quality cameras in return for his professional services.
The accountant who helped Maxine with the business records discouraged her from selling Longhorn Camera Exchange. He told her the business was thriving, and could continue to be successful. It was, in the words of his profession, "a going concern." But, with two small boys to look after, running a camera store along was not a reasonable plan, and the business went to new owners.
Mrs. Gitelman moved with her sons, ages 6 and 4, to Abilene, Texas, to be closer to her own family.
Many years later - around 1982 - my brother David, who had moved to Denver, Colorado only a few years before, had an interesting surprise. A technician came to his home to assist with his cable television installation. When my brother paid his bill, with a check, the technician said he was from Dallas, and recognized the 'Gitelman' name. He told David, "I remember that name - there was once a man in Dallas, Mr. David Gitelman, who owned a unique camera store, filled with antiques and collectibles. And when he died, a Dallas television station sent a film unit to note the event of his death for their newscast."
He told my brother Dave that some of the film footage on the Dallas TV news included a man walking up a flight of stairs, to Longhorn Cameras on the second floor, carrying an airplane propeller - a very unusual item. David Gitelman would trade cameras, lenses, or movie projectors for anything strange, unique, or unusual, if it was a highly refined technical item. And that was one of the keys to the success of his business.