Laughs and Clippers: Fun Facts About Lefty the Barber
Lefty’s Barbershop –
Tex Levi “Lefty” Oliverson (1942–2003) was more than a barber—he was a beloved neighbor, friend, and storyteller whose shop at 3500 South and Redwood Road became a gathering place for the community. Born in Idaho to George Lynn and Ila C. Oliverson, Lefty married Kayleen Wheeler in 1964 and built a life centered on family, humor, and service. Though he was father to two children, countless others considered him “dad,” a testament to the warmth and acceptance he offered to everyone who walked through his door.
At Lefty’s Barbershop, the haircuts were almost secondary. Customers crowded the hard leather benches not only for trims but for the steady stream of jokes and camaraderie. Regulars didn’t mind waiting—some admitted they didn’t care what the haircut looked like, as long as they could catch the latest wisecrack from Lefty. His humor was famously irreverent, his walls lined with velvet paintings, puzzles, and bumper stickers celebrating the pride of being left-handed. The buzzing clippers, the smell of talc, and the background hum of The Young and the Restless created the kind of atmosphere no salon could replicate.
Graduating from the old Salt Lake Barber School on Regent Street, Lefty stuck to what he proudly called “old, basic styles.” He resisted the flashy trends of the day—the bowl cuts, the high-priced salon fashions—believing that a professional, simple haircut never went out of style. His straightforward approach and good-natured banter drew in loyal customers for decades, including local leaders like former Utah Governor Norm Bangerter and several LDS Church authorities.
Though the number of traditional barbers dwindled in his later years, Lefty’s shop remained steady because people came back for him. They came for his jokes, his stories, his friendship. Lefty Oliverson passed away in 2003 at the age of 61, but his legacy lives on in the memories of those who laughed in his chair and walked out feeling lighter—not just from the haircut, but from the joy he so generously shared.
Lefty was as generous with his scissors as he was with his humor. Every so often, he would set up a chair by the Jordan River to give haircuts to homeless men, telling them they were always welcome at his barbershop—never charging a single penny.
Lefty wasn’t just a beloved barber—he was the best neighbor anyone could ask for. At his home, if he was out watering the lawn and the neighborhood kids were riding their bikes nearby, he’d often turn the hose on them and start a full-on water fight, laughing and playing along with the kids as if he were one of them.
Despite losing a leg to polio as a child, Lefty never let it slow him down; he became a hardworking, dedicated barber and a beloved member of his community.
Lefty Oliverson was father to two children, but his warmth and generosity made him a dad to many more—neighbors, friends, and longtime customers all felt like part of his extended family.
A Special Thank you to Lefty’s Grandaughter Laci Lopez for sharing these historic pictures with us.
Lefty’s wife, Kayleen Oliverson, passed away in 2003. She was a cherished partner in life, and together they built a home and family filled with love, laughter, and generosity that left a lasting impact on everyone who knew them.
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Lefty Oliverson’s funeral was a true testament to the impact he had on his community.
Services were held at McDougal Funeral Home on Redwood Road, and the turnout reflected the love and respect he inspired—every seat inside was filled, the hallways were crowded, and an estimated 70 people gathered in the parking lot.
Friends, neighbors, community members, and longtime clients all came to honor a man whose kindness, humor, and generosity touched so many lives.
