I just found out the man who established my standard for work, has died.  Jack Flack established my first work ethics and standard of work.  I’m so proud to say that Jack Flack went to my mother’s house and asked her if he could hire me.  When my mother told me Jack Flack came by our house to hire me, I asked; why mama?  He said, because he sees you working all the time and since he sees how hard a worker you are, he wants you to come and work at his tire store.  I couldn’t ask for a higher honor. 

Jack, my uncle Henry “Dude” Shehan and my cousin John Rollins fought and won World War II.  I remember seeing Jack at the tire store, the drug store, at church and around town.  I knew he must be a good man.  Dudie said, son he’s been through a lot.  Jack, Dudie and John were men who never talked much about WWII, period.  Over the years and being a (peace time) veteran myself, I have them to thank for the courage to serve.  I can only mention –speak in meaningless words – the sacrifice they lived to understand.  Whatever all of this means, Jack Flack came to my house and asked my mother if he could hire me.

There’s no one who expected a higher standard of work than Jack Flack.  Jack treated every worker at Spindale Tire the same.  After a while, I don’t think there was a soul who worked for Jack who didn’t ask themselves, how hard does that man think I can work?  Some folks made it, some folks washed out and whoever came next better be ready and willing to work. 

But, it was more than just working.  Working for Spindale Tire was an institutional experience.  I came to the tire store in 1981.  And there were many men prior to me…the Simpsons from Polk County, the Wilsons from Spindale, DeWitt Boone, Randy Melton, Ricky Weeks, Henry Hooper, Buster Goode, Weldon Thompson, Tim Smith, Donald Ray Edwards; the list is long and not all inclusive.

Most importantly, Jack Flack was a man of integrity, value and simple living.  He is the epitome of an every-day joe and made his way through life providing a living for some, while serving all. 

All through the years, I thought of Jack often.  I thought about his life’s lessons he taught me while working in the tire store.  I thought about the life’s lessons I learned from all the other men who worked for Jack.  Jack saw the same in each of us, no matter who we were or what our background happened to be; he gave everyone a chance to prove themselves in his business. 

I hope all who knew Jack Flack are as happy and honored as I am to have known and served under such a great man.