To the editor:

Dare County lost a great man last week. I first met Jack Wilson in the early 70s when he was the fire chief of the Roanoke Island Fire Dept.  I had just been given the honor of becoming the fire chief in Buxton.

I knew so little about the fire service at this time and Chief Wilson was someone I could learn from and model our department after the way he ran his. Jack was a great leader and an inspiration for all firemen lucky enough to know him. He ran the Manteo department the way it should have been run – with great training and comradery among its members, but he was also unselfish enough to help out any and all other departments with training or advice on making your station a better one.

Ask any firefighter from his era and you will hear what a great leader he was. I would like everyone in Dare County who has a fire department they think is outstanding to know that Jack Wilson had a role in making that way; he set the standard that we all aspire to till this day! Rest in peace, Jack and know you will be missed!

John Conner
Buxton