By Kyle Mills “I’ve never heard anybody say a bad word about my dad,” son and general manager of Glenwood Springs Ford, Steve Nilsson, said.
“I think that he touched so many people in so many ways, because of how kind and generous he was.”
The Roaring Fork Valley lost a pillar of the community at the end of last month, when retired local businessmen Jack Nilsson passed away at his Carbondale home Nov. 24 at the age of 92.
Nilsson came to the valley to start his own car dealership after working for the Ford Motor Company from the 1950s until the mid-’70s.
Nilsson and his brother made the trip from Denver to the valley to purchase Mountain Motors in 1978, renaming it Glenwood Springs Ford.
In 1979, Jack hired Jeff Carlson, who he had originally hired and worked with at Ford Motor Company.
Carlson and his wife, Nancy, moved their young family to Glenwood Springs, which started a partnership that spanned nearly 40 years.
“Jack and I were very close, and some in the community thought we were related,” Carlson said. “Many thought Nancy was his daughter, and in many respects Jack was like another father.”
“Dad started a long legacy of family involvement in the store,” Steve said.
In 1982, Carlson bought Jack’s partner out, and they remained partners in business ventures until his passing.
“Jeff came out and worked for dad and later became partners with him, and now Jeff, his son Zach and I are partners,” Steve added.
“It has been really neat to see it come to pass.”
Jack was an active member in the community. The long-time Rotarian and Lions Club member retired in the mid-’90s.
“After he retired, he still came into the store every day, as our chairman of the board until he was 88 years old,” Steve said.
“He loved being around the staff. He loved being around all the people – seeing customers and friends.”
Jack also enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal and opening the mail while serving as the chairman.
“Jack was a character leader,” Carlson said. “Among his many virtues, he loved people and earned the respect of everyone who met him.”
Carlson said he has always tried to follow his lead in honesty, patience, kindness, and service to others — but no one was as good as Jack.
“He was like an ambassador for us. He liked being engaged in the day-to-day operation, and being around everybody,” Steve said.
“He really uplifted everybody when he was here, always having kind words to say.”
Jack was a family man first, Carlson added, and always made time for his family.
“He had a great laugh and was happy almost all of the time, but most happy when the kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were around,” Carlson said.
When Jack wasn’t enjoying a game of tennis or fly-fishing with his family or taking his children to Broncos or Rockies games, he served as the board chairman of the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association.
“He was an amazing leader, he lead with humility and a great sense of humor,” retired Chamber CEO Marianne …read more
Via:: Post Independent