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Ron Walker posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
THOUGHTS ON JOHN WILSON for his tribute service:
Lots of words describe John Wilson – Caring, compassionate, thoughtful, resolute, firm, fair, leader, smart, generous…..I could go on.
“JP”-- as we all called him – was my boss, my mentor, and became my great friend. I got to know him more than 50 years ago in early 1971, my first full year with a company called Universal Scheduling Corporation, later known as USC consulting group, or USC. JP joined USC in 1968, shortly after its founding, and for the next several years was in charge of our Analysis Department, responsible for conducting a two-week analysis with a potential client to convince them to hire our Operating Department to do a project.
My first three years I was in our Operations group -- doing the projects, and occasionally assisting on an analysis between projects. Typically, Operations personnel would then stay on the project if we got the go ahead. I’ll never forget his taking me go with him to a meeting with the VP of Finance at Flint Steel in Tulsa, when I had been with USC only three months. His instructions to me were blunt: “Walker, don’t feel compelled to talk!” But he knew that even that young in the business, I’d learn something from watching him.
I was still in Operations a couple of years later, when on another analysis, at Chief Industries in Grand Island, Nebraska, JP told me he wanted me to present an example to the client in our final presentation – the meeting to get the go ahead. I’d never presented anything to a client during an analysis, so I asked him why he didn’t present it himself, the usual approach by the Chief Analyst. He said, “It’s too complicated for me, but you convinced me you know what you’re talking about, and I think it will make a great impact on the client and their desire to hire us.” He had a great ability to not only see your capabilities, but trust you to deliver. He also knew he could bail me out if I stumbled.
JP later brought me full-time into the Analysis Department, first to assist, then to learn to be a Chief Analyst.
As a boss and mentor, he demanded that you be brutally honest about where you stood with the client, rather than looking at your situation through rose-colored glasses, hoping they were buying when they weren’t. In that way we could better strategize how to sell the client, and JP would increasingly trust your abilities to handle situations successfully.
He stressed the adage he learned from our founders, Pat Price and Tom Rice, that “It’s not what you don’t know that hurts you – it’s what you think you know for sure that ain’t so!” – an old Will Rogers’ comment.
He had an ability to recognize potential you often didn’t realize you had. He had great insight from his own experience, but also from his skill of asking the right questions, and taught you that if you asked prospects good questions, you could discover what stood in the way of success with that prospect, overcome it, and get the go ahead.
He helped guide us as we increasingly ran into new forms of competition over the years, such as the big accounting firms launching their consulting divisions; new methodologies clients were demanding; and even the need in the 80’s for us to utilize computers! Many of you have never known a world without computers, so that probably sounds strange today!!
He could criticize gently or bluntly, depending on what was needed. He wanted us confident but humble – when he thought some recent success might go to your head, he’d say something like, “Walker, one snowflake doesn’t make a snowfall – you’ve got a ways to go yet!” (Or maybe something even more colorful!) We all learned valuable business and life lessons from him.
JP was also a great friend, and had the ability to be so without jeopardizing his business relationship with you.
An example would be that after he and Shirley moved into the Sailfish Point community at Stuart, Florida, he developed an interest in golf. Now it would be an exaggeration to say he became a highly skilled golfer – (after all, none of us were) -- but one of the beauties of the game of golf is that it allows players of all skill levels to really enjoy the game and be able to compete. JP learned to love playing with his many friends at Sailfish Point and Cherry Hills.
We began competing in the 3-day Sailfish Point member-guest tournament in the mid-90s, and did that for almost to 20 years, until it became difficult for him to play three days in a row.
Speaking of exaggerations, to say we had great fun in those tournaments would definitely not be an exaggeration! Each of 10 or so flights had six teams of a member and a guest, with each team having a match against the other five. Then the winners of each of the flights would compete in the three-hole shootout on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes to be the overall member-guest champion. Some teams were eliminated after the first and second shootout holes. The last two or three teams standing would then go to the final shootout hole, #18, next to the clubhouse, with a gallery of members and guests and their families watching.
Unfortunately, we never won the overall, but we did get to the 18th and final shootout hole each of the five times we won our flight. Regarding getting into those shootouts, JP; often quoted a pat price saying, that it was like a covey of quail taking off right in front of you – a real rush! Yes, he loved beating his friends at Sailfish Point in those tournaments, but he especially loved the competition and the thrill of being in the shootout.
And what about dining with JP? You know he loved great food and wine, and those dinners always included great discussions on a variety of topics – from our business, to politics, to sports, to the markets, to cultural issues, etc. JP could always be counted on for meaningful insights into those subjects, and you would walk away with more knowledge than you had before, and would have usually learned a valuable lesson or two.
JP had a tremendous knack for meeting people and letting them know he was interested in them, and what they had to say or offer. He could meet anyone – whether it was a top executive of, say, United Airlines on a flight, which provided an assist to our developing a great client relationship –- or meeting a celebrity like Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and his wife, Arty, on a scuba diving trip with Shirley to Australia in the early 90’s. As a result, when we threw JP’s retirement party in February 2000 at the four seasons hotel in Chicago, we invited Sayers, along with JP’s roommate at Purdue, Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, to attend. Both came, enabling the rest of the partners at USC to meet two Hall of Fame NFL players.
Anyone in their 9th decade of life will have had some health issues. I talked to JP earlier this year and learned of his being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and having just gone through proton radiation therapy for that disease the summer of 2020, I thought JP might be able to get the same treatment, but he said he was already on some hormone therapy and chemo.
As many of you know, JP was a prolific forwarder of emails he received – some serious, some humorous, and sometimes even raunchy, which surprised me, since it seemed I’d never heard JP utter a swear word! Alright, maybe once or twice! I used to get a few emails every day, and this summer and fall, when that number dwindled to maybe one a day, then one a week, i knew that something had changed with his health.
This man will be missed big time, and already is -- so much, by so many! He touched the lives of many, and will continue to do so even in his earthly absence. Those who passed his way never forgot him…and never will…he had a profound impact on all who had the opportunity to know him.
I learned so much from him, and can never repay him for the help and guidance he gave me…
When you needed advice – JP was there.
When you needed a kick in the butt, JP could provide it.
When you needed reassurance, JP would reassure you.
When you needed to discuss strategy, he provided that council.
When you needed a nudge to believe in yourself a little more, JP nudged you.
When you needed confidence, JP would remind you of your successes and problems you had already overcome.
When you needed a friend, he was that friend.
I'll never forget what he did for me. Ron Walker
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Scott Wilson uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, December 5, 2021
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Jim Ostrosky posted a condolence
Saturday, December 4, 2021
I am very saddened by the news of JP’s passing. For me and many who worked at USC John lead by example and performed the roles of Mentor, Partner and Friend perhaps better than anyone before or since. He instinctively would know when each role was appropriate and execute flawlessly. Those who worked with and for JP will never forget the THREE R’s he engrained in every one – READ – RELATE – RESPOND. He understood the value of relationship building in business and personal life and again always led by example. I’m sure that by now JP has organized a game of Dollar Bill Poker with Pat, Tom and of course Eli!!!!
Jim Ostrosky
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Mike Hartman posted a condolence
Saturday, November 27, 2021
I first met JP when I went to work for USC in 1979. I was 23 years old. (I retired from USC in 2018 after 39 years.) I was one of the few lucky people who got to work with JP on a daily basis in our Chicago office. JP not only mentored me in business, but he also took the time to mentor me in investing and personal growth. Pretty remarkable for a busy CEO. He knew I had a love for music, and when our company started working for RCA Records, he bought a ticket for me to go to their plant and watch how they made records.
JP was such a thoughtful person. Even after he retired he would call to see how things were going with me and my family. I think the only regret I have is that I did not sit down and tell him how much of an impact he made in my adult life.
My condolences to all of JP’s family; and as his son Scott said, he was an amazing man.
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GAIL GORDON posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
John was wonderful person he will be missed by many friends. Nobody could tell a joke as well as John, he was the best. My prayers and thoughts are with his family and with Barbara. Gail Gordon
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John Hannan posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
My sincere condolences to the Wilson family. JP was one of the very few true leaders I have had the privilege of serving under. One always felt that he had his people's best interests at heart and put them first.
Bravo Zulu and thank you JP for your service. You will be missed
John Hannan
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Jennifer Cavarra posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
My memories are always of family, I can't say that I ever saw Uncle John without family. It's a long history, some memories dim and romantic with age. It's hard to sum up the dogs, horses, stories of exotic adventures, and rich holiday meals. Other recollections, thankfully, are more current. We all grow up. The depth of our loss is immeasurable and will be felt by generations. I am thankful to share my family with his, profoundly sad by his loss.
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Craig Ferguson posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
I am so very grateful John came into the Ferguson Family life. My mom was widowed in 2008 and was very lonely until she met John. We gathered often with John and I was so happy to see my mom with such an awesome friend and companion. It brought so much peace to our family to have times with John. I only knew him his last few years, but he will forever be a part of our family.
Thank you Wilsons.
I speak with my father more than I ever have.
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Steve Martin posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
One of my favorite memories of JPW was when Jan and I were trying to get in to Mr. Lucky's when Aloy Zar was playing and they would not let me in because I did not have a shirt with a collar on it. Jan and I were on our way back to the truck when Sherly and John drove up and asked what we were doing. I explained the situation and JPW took the shirt off his back and gave it to me so we could get in. That's the kind of man JPW was. The world lost a good man. So sorry for your lose.
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julie ferguson uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
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So grateful for the wonderful memories with John up at Dome Lake. He loved feeding moose. And he also enjoyed a fast ride through the puddles on the Mule.
Julie & Frank
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julie ferguson uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
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Many fun memories shared with John, so glad he came into our lives. -Love, Hanna & Faith(Barbra's Granddaughter's)
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The family of John P. Wilson uploaded a photo
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
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Barbara Ferguson uploaded photo(s)
Monday, November 22, 2021
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Grateful for the love John and I shared. -Barbara
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Scott Wilson uploaded photo(s)
Monday, November 22, 2021
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Scott Wilson lit a candle
Monday, November 22, 2021
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