Jackson "Jack" Cline

On May 6, 2025, longtime NAPA Auto Parts business owner Jackson "Jack" Cline, 85, looked West Union in the rearview mirror as he fired up the engine one more time and floored it, pedal to the metal, to his new home with Our Lord.
Born August 11, 1939, to Herbert and Mildred (Harper) Cline in West Union, Iowa, the youngest of three children, graduated in 1958 as the last class of the West Union Bombers, and was father to Jon and Joni from his prior marriage to Darlene (Dyke) Cline.
At age 15, when the furniture store downtown moved to a new building, Jack helped Standard Motor Parts relocate into the vacated storefront, and continued to work there, eventually becoming manager for Gates Motor Supply, and then purchasing the business as NAPA Auto Parts, of which he operated for over 50 years. He expanded to open the NAPA store in Decorah, and purchased NAPA stores in Elkader, Monona, and Strawberry Point, and then later helped managers in those stores to become NAPA store owners themselves.
Loyalty and service to his community and country was instilled to Jack from his grandfather John Cline, who served as Fayette County Auditor at the time of the second courthouse fire and was instrumental in keeping the new courthouse in West Union; from his uncle John Earl Harper who served in the military in WWI and died in service during the Spanish flu pandemic; and from his brother who served in WWII and the Korean War. After high school, Jack served active duty in the United States Armed Forces for seven months, finishing out his six-year commitment as an Iowa National Guard member. Over the years, he was involved with the West Union Jaycees, the West Union Rotary club, served on the West Union ambulance crew, was a member of the Iowa Masonic West Union Lodge #69, and was a Shriner clown.
In his later years, Jack enjoyed spending time in the sun in Florida during the winter months with his sister. He really enjoyed being Grandpa/Grandpa Jack. Most of all, Jack enjoyed serving the community as a business owner. He considered his many loyal customers as friends and was always willing to help one in need at any time, even after hours.
Among those greeting Jack at his new place in life include his parents; brother, John Earl (for whom the John Cline Elementary in Decorah is named); sister and brother-in-law, Jone and Otis Schaeffer; nephew, Mark Schaeffer; longtime treasured employees, Lila Summers and Roger Chensvold, and his faithful companion, Myita.
Those expected to carry on business as usual include son, Jon of Marion; daughter and son-in-law, Joni and Mark Spies of rural Hawkeye; granddaughter, Heather (Josh) Tolle of Des Moines; granddaughter, Taylor Spies and great grandchildren, Alo, Wren, and Ky Munkel, of Osage; nephew, John Schaeffer of Texas; grandniece, Angel Perry of Virginia; and the love and anchor of his life "the store" at 112 East Elm, West Union.
A celebration for Jack will be held Saturday, June 7, from 9 am to noon at NAPA Auto Parts, West Union, with a memorial service and military honors shortly after noon directly across the street on the West Union Plaza. We invite you to drive your classic car for preferred parking and golf carts are welcome at the plaza.