ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Friends of Chet Fitch may be surprised to be getting holiday cards from him this year.

He died in October at the age of 88.

But for years, the Oregon man -- who was known for his sense of humor -- had been planning one final joke, with the help of his barber. He'd written Christmas cards to his friends and gave them to barber Patty Dean for mailing after he died. He kept the mailing list updated, and gave her more money when postal rates went up.

Dean tells an Ashland, Oregon newspaper (the Daily Tidings) that a few months ago, Fitch told her that she'd probably be able to mail the cards this year. He died a week later.

The cards carry a return address of "Heaven."

In them, Fitch wrote, "I asked Big Guy if I could sneak back and send some cards" -- and that "Big Guy" finally agreed. He said, "Wish I could tell you about things here but words cannot explain."

He concluded, "I'll probably be seeing you -- some sooner than you think" -- and signed it, "Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Chet Fitch."

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)