My dad, Jack "Happy Jack" Landers and mother Elsie Landers, started Silk-printing, or screen-printing 25 years ago. Let me take a few paragraphs to introduce Happy Jack and Jack's Tees of Florida to you.
You might wonder where he got the name "Happy Jack". He acquired his nickname when he and my brother built a boat they named, The Happy Jack. The name reflects his personality and love of life.
During the time my brother and I were growing up to be the fine men we are today my dad, Jack E. Landers, Sr., was in sales and sales management for large corporations. Over the years the "corporate life" did not set well with him. About 1970 he said good bye to all of that. He spread his independent, entrepreneurial wings and set out on his own.
Happy Jack had always been interested in photography as one of his hobbies. While reading a Mother Earth News magazine he came across an article about Silk-screening. He saw a definite connection between photography and artistic skills of screen-printing. He decided to learn more. From that article he went to, where else, the library. (The Internet was not yet available, except maybe in Mr. Gore's mind.).
Working from the basement of their home Mom and Dad started screen-printing. Encountering a few problems (nothing is as easy as it seems) he decided he needed real life experience. He took a summer to work at a big screen-print outfit just outside Charleston, South Carolina. There he learned what he was getting into, but decided to pursue the trade anyway. After that experience he figured he needed a little time off. He purchased an Airstream travel trailer and took off for two weeks of fun in the Florida sun. He made it as far as Fort Pierce, Florida. Deciding Fort Pierce was too large for his changing taste in life style he headed inland. Next stop, Okeechobee, Florida.
Their stay extended more than the two weeks. As a matter of fact, at some point, I donıt remember when, Mom and Dad called to tell us they were going to stay in Okeechobee. Taking on a part time job at local business he began the little screen-print operation on the side. Dad used his sales skills and artistic interests to build his business. Soon he left his part time job. He, along with his wife of 30 years (at that time) and loyal partner, pursued his dream of a building a small screen-print business in the small friendly town of Okeechobee. "Jackıs Tees of Florida" was born. By the way, a friend and graphic artist, Bud Fellers, created the "Happy Jack" logo you see in the upper left corner about 30 years ago.
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