JOHN P. WALSH

Family-Placed Obituary

JOHN P. WALSH "Jack" May 21, 1928 - September 6, 2012 Age 84, passed away after a long fight against the ravages of Parkinson's Disease. A true pioneer in Financial Planning, Jack was the Founder and Chairman of Money Concepts International, and one of the most significant contributors to the profession. Born in Chicago, IL on May 21, 1928, the first of five children born to the late Denis P. and Theresa Walsh, immigrants from Ireland who became American citizens. Jack was a natural salesman from the start. When in the 1930's the diseases of childhood quarantined Jack to the back yard, he sold his brothers the idea that cardboard boxes were airplanes. In Oklahoma City, OK he convinced his younger brother that the long street car rides to and from school were trips to exotic lands. Jack began his business career with a wagon. There was money to be made pulling heavy grocery bags home for lady shoppers. Next came door to door sales peddling the Saturday Evening Post and Ladies Home Journal magazines. Taking advantage of his business acumen, he trained his first ever franchisees, his brothers, to take over the wagon and the magazines. In 1942 Jack's parents and their five children moved to Detroit where Jack attended Jesuit High School and became an Eagle Scout. After graduating high school in 1945, Jack joined the U.S. Army and served in the Occupation of Japan. A few years later, following Jack's example, his brothers both joined the US Army during the Korean War. Back stateside, Jack attended the University of Detroit. Jack began his adult career in sales. In 1959 he joined Franklin Life Insurance Company; he broke all sales records, and was named General Agent of the Year in his first year. He was later brought into the home office as the youngest Vice President in company history. In 1969, Jack joined American Bankers Life as Executive Vice president, and was elected President in 1973. During his tenure American Bankers Life experienced their best ever growth. Recognizing the increasing need for personal financial planning Jack had a vision of independently owned and operated financial planning centers based on a franchise model. That vision became Money Concepts International which today has grown to over 700 offices worldwide. In 2007 he was awarded the Loren Dunton Memorial Award, the industry's highest achievement. Jack was equally productive at home as he was in business. Jack and his wife, Betty, brought forth seven children. He was able to fulfill his youthful wanderlust of exotic places by taking his family on dozens of adventurous vacation excursions. Jack's greatest passion was his family and helping his associates succeed. Jack is survived by his former wife, Betty Walsh; his daughters, Kara Walsh, Kathleen Walsh, Therese Walsh, and Susan Walsh-Caban; his sons, Denis Walsh, Patrick Walsh, and Jim Walsh, and six grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Saturday, September 8, and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Sunday, September 9, at Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 250 Center Street, Jupiter, FL. Sunday's visitation will be a time for a sharing of special memories by family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM, Monday, September 10, at St. Patricks Catholic Church, 13591 Prosperity Farms Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Burial will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Royal Palm Beach. For directions and online condolences please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated (561) 744-2030 To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries