Culley, Jack Robert of Superior, WI and St. Petersburg, FL passed away peacefully at home on May 20, 2012. He was almost 83 years old. Until he fell ill just a few months ago he was operating his business, sailing, playing tennis and golf, flying his plane and enjoying his friends, family and service organizations. Born July 16, 1929, to Kenneth and Kathryn Culley in Superior, NE, Jack spent his childhood on a Hawk Springs, WY farm and in Cheyenne, WY. He graduated from Cheyenne High School and enlisted in the army in 1946. After service he began a career in marketing while gaining a degree from Bryant & Stratton Business College. His education grew on the job with Pillsbury, and he eventually landed in Minneapolis in the refrigerated foods division. It was in Minneapolis that he and Carolyn Culley, whom he married in 1948, raised their four children. Twenty years later he found a way to bring his expertise and passion together when he started Sailboats, Inc. The company expanded beyond selling sailboats to include sailboat charter fleets, sailing schools and marina management. He was a commodore at LOWISA and helped found the Leech Lake regatta. Through these ventures he was proud to introduce many to sailing and increase participation in the sport in the upper Midwest. Forever entrepreneurial, Jack and his partners developed homes and a few years after he got a pilot's license, he began an air charter business. Jack met his wife Lynda Culley, in 1983 after he moved to Superior, WI. He generously contributed to the community through work on the boards of the Superior Rotary Club, the WI Tourism and Coastal Management Councils, Superior Memorial Hospital, Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, and as a volunteer pilot for Mercy Flights Southeast. Jack enjoyed the companionship and activities at St. Petersburg Country Club and the Kitchi Gammi Club in Duluth, MN. Many will miss Jack's enthusiasm for life, his humor, guidance and support. His inspiration will be missed and the loss felt deeply by his wife of 27 years, Lynda, and his three surviving children, Jack, Kathy (Dave Schwier, daughter Clare) and Tom (Joyce Houmes); Lynda's children, Cindy McDonnell (Brad, children Helen and Hanna), Erik Scott (Paula, children Emily and Marit); former wife Carolyn Culley; and many friends and associates. His son David and sister Cheryl predeceased him. Memorials can be made to Mercy Flight SE, 8864 Airport Blvd., Leesburg, FL 34788 or to a
. A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer in Duluth-Superior. Contact a family member, Sailboats Inc., or visit www.internationalcremation.com/obituaries
Published in Star Tribune on May 27, 2012
