A LaSalle Jay Leno fan laments the host stepping down

Jay Leno, host of 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,' on the set in Burbank, Calif.

Robert Matis still remembers when he had the opportunity to meet the long standing host of The Tonight Show when Jay Leno performed stand-up at Caesars Windsor in 2011. "The laughter was great, he was down to earth.”

Matis and his wife went backstage and still tells the story with a chuckle over what Leno said to them.

"He had my wife around his arms and he said, oh I see you brought your father with you."

The eighty-four year old says he was a fan the first night Leno took over the reins from Johnny Carson.

Matis sent Leno jokes over the years.

He’s unsure whether Leno used any of them on air, but the host seemed to appreciate the gesture..

Matis says he was touched when Leno sent an autographed picture of himself on a bike. "It says Robert. It was nice seeing you. Thank you Jay Leno."

Leno who is 63-years-old says he’s returning to stand-up comedy.

Jimmy Fallon takes over the host position when The Tonight Show returning to CTV2 on February 17th.