Jack Cash Wilson

The son of Olin Benjamin and Vera Ada Cash Dryden, Jack was born in Live Oak, Florida on January 24, 1940 and spent his early days on the Cash family farm on Charles Springs Road in Suwannee County. In 1957, after his mother’s death, he was adopted by Elmer Walter and Virginia Collings Wilson, his mother’s employers. The Wilsons had relocated to The Hammock in Flagler County, from Washington DC after WWII. Jack was blessed to have two loving mothers.

Jack was a graduate of Hastings High School in St Johns County and Daytona Beach Community College. He joined the U S Navy after graduation and received his commission as an Ensign in 1965 upon completion of flight training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. He enjoyed sailing and the Navy cut him orders to be on their racing team. He volunteered for service in Vietnam and flew UH-1 (Huey) helicopters providing air support for the brown water Navy in the Mekong Delta from 1966 to 1967. Jack was attached to the Helicopter Attack (Light) squadron, known as the HAL-3 Navy Seawolves. The Seawolves were the most highly decorated squadron in Vietnam even while flying hand-me-down helicopters from the Army repaired with makeshift parts. Jack was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 27 Air Medals for his service. After Vietnam, he was assigned to VX-6 squadron at Quonset Point, Rhode Island and flew support for the US Antarctic Research Program (Operation Deep Freeze) in Antarctica for three summer seasons. While in Christchurch, New Zealand, Jack met his future bride, Anne Paerata, and they were married in 1970. Upon discharge from the Navy Jack joined Petroleum Helicopters Inc. in Louisiana and flew support for off-shore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and then in Angola, Africa.

In 1976 Jack and Anne returned to Flagler County to raise their children, Tory born in Africa, and Joel born in New Zealand.

Jack was a man of many talents reflected by his varied work life, everything from crop-dusting to law enforcement but his favorite occupation was probably his last as a marine electrician in the construction of multi-million- dollar yachts at Newcastle Marine in The Hammock. He was the quintessential “jack of all trades” although he would tell you that he hated plumbing.

Jack enjoyed NASCAR, horticulture, and boating. He especially loved cruising to his favorite island in the Abacos, initially with a 33’ Morgan Out Island sail boat and later with a 36’ Marine Trader trawler. Wonderful family memories were created on those trips. Lots of people learned to clean conch and make conch horns from Jack. He was a surprising source of information for many friends on a myriad of topics even though they sometimes thought he made it up if he didn’t know the answer.

Jack was the archetype of a truly good, kind man; an honorable husband, father, and grandfather. He and Anne had many adventures in their life together and lived life to the fullest.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Anne, his daughter, Tory (Clint Avant), son, Joel (Casey Saxon) and four grandsons.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Fond memories and condolences can be shared at www.craigflaglerpalms.com.