John Campbell "Jack" McCormack

John "Jack" McCormack was born June 6, 1931 in Oak Park, Illinois and died August 4, 2015 in Santa Ynez, CA surrounded by his family following a three year battle with leukemia.

Jack was not an ordinary man. He exhibited extraordinary behaviors in both his personal and professional life to the admiration of many. Jack joined the Marines right out of high school serving as a Drill Sergeant during the Korean War and learning leadership skills that he would use throughout the rest of his business career. As a teenager, Jack loved to race motorcycles with his friends and that love of bikes would lead him into a career in the motorcycle industry. He never lost his love for motorcycles or speed and, at age 80, Jack rode his motorcycle solo 3,200 miles to Harlington, Texas and back. Then he repeated the trip the next year.

He began his career with Johnson Motor Sports in the late 1950s and then became Vice President of American Honda Motor Co. His "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" campaign achieved a 54% market share in the first year. Harvard's MBA program teaches Jack's marketing scheme to this day.

Following the Honda success, Jack Co-founded U.S. Suzuki, then McCormack International Motors, producing the American Eagle motorcycle used by Evel Knievel. Then, taking a giant leap away from the motorcycle and automotive industries, Jack almost single-handedly developed the Napa Valley Wine Train. He purchased 21 miles of railroad track from So. Pacific, restored vintage 1915-1917 cars and bought F-40 diesel engines from the Canadian Pacific. The first run of the gourmet dining and wine tasting railroad occurred in 1989. The Napa Valley Wine Train is running daily today and known worldwide as the best of the short-line railroads.

Moving to the Santa Ynez Valley in 1991, Jack served as: CEO of Mission Industries in Santa Barbara and CEO of Ash Corporation. He was a five year member of SYV GPAC, President of Cunningham Motors and Board Member of the Marine Military Academy.

Jack leaves his wife of 50 years, Dr. Gerry McCormack, his brother, Bert (Mary), his six children Mike (Julie), Clare (Elaine), Frank, John, Steve (Lacey) and Patty and his stepson, Scott Settle (Diane). He also leaves 10 grandchildren.

Pursuant to Jack's wishes, a private family service will be held at his home where his ashes will be scattered on the animal cemetery as he always said "I want to be with my friends." A celebration for his many Valley and Santa Barbara friends is planned for a later date to be announced. Also later, a scattering of ashes for his Napa Valley friends and associates of the Napa Valley Wine Train and another at his home in Malibu for his many Malibu and L.A. friends.

In summing up Jack's bigger-than-life presence, Bob Lutz, Vice President of General Motors said on Aug. 17: "Jack was a rare and special person; intelligent, dynamic, compassionate, tough when required. He was a great businessman and a superb leader. They just don't make them like that anymore. I'll sure miss my communicating with him. I loved his no B.S. style and, if anyone was offended, it was their problem, not his. A great Marine, a superb bike rider, and a patriot."

Many books and magazines have chronicled Jack's entrepreneurial achievements. The following is a partial list:

Santa Ynez Valley Secrets, A Rollicking Trip with Famous and

Fascinating People

Pat Murphy, Burnham Press 1998

Above and Beyond, Former Marines Conquer the Civilian World

Rudy Socha Carolyn Darrow, Turner Publishing 2004

Motorcycle, Evolution Design Passion

Mick Walker, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006, Baltimore

History of the Honda Scrambler 1958-1975

Bill Silver

Legendary LaVerda 1949-1989

ETAI Jean Louise Oliver, 2006, Printed in Europe

Honda Motorcyle

Aaron P. Frank, MBI Publishing, 2003

Sempi Fi.