Photo courtesy of Union Tribune

While on Twitter the other night, I got word that “King” George Stahlman had passed away last week.  If you’ve lived in San Diego for any length of time (or are a native), then you probably are familiar with the successful bail bondsman and local fixture.

I have a unique connection to George Stahlman — my father, Jerry Reeder, worked for Stahlman as a bail agent when we first moved to San Diego in 1978.  As a five year old child, I only knew “Uncle George”, as a very warm man who was kind and generous with me. I didn’t know him well, but he and my father had what I perceived to be a somewhat father/son-esque dynamic.

Within a year or two, they had a falling out (though as a kid, I have absolutely no idea what it was about — but it must have been a biggie) and my father quit working there… with gusto.  He opened up his own bail bonds agency two doors down on Union and B St. and went on to become a very successful bondsman in his own right, eventually dubbed locally as “The Prince of Bail”. (more…)