A charismatic centenarian believed to be the oldest surviving Pullman railcar porter has died at his Southern California desert home at age 107.

Brother Andrew Isaacs tells the Los Angeles Times (lat.ms/OnZmGz) that Ben Isaacs died of kidney failure on Aug. 15 in Victorville. His 89-year-old brother says Isaacs was released from a hospital days before his death.

Ben Isaacs became a Pullman porter in 1936 and spent more than three decades serving first-class passengers in Pullman sleeping cars. The Pullman Palace Car Co. was founded by George Pullman in 1867.

Isaacs, who at times serviced up to 50 berths, said he liked helping people.

Chicago's Pullman Porter Museum had recognized 102-year-old Lee Wesley Gibson, of Los Angeles, as the oldest living Pullman porter until Isaacs came forward in 2010.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com