Note to Jody Hope-Strogoff:

It’s customary to leave your phone in the “off” position when attending a funeral.

The funeral of Jack B. Weil last night at First Universalist Church of Denver was mix of reminisces, laughs and tears as Denver and other Republicans said goodbye to one it’s most original and compelling characters.

Weil, 79, died on Tuesday, January 22nd of esophageal cancer after a nine-month battle with the illness.

Amongst the attendees was former Colorado first lady Frances Owens and current Colorado GOP Chairman Dick Wadhams.

The Weil family is best known as owners and operators of Rockmount Western Wear, a small clothing company with all-star clients. After graduating from Tulane University and a stint in the Army, Weil returned to Denver to help run the family business.  

Weil certainly contributed a lot to that business, helping to popularize the western snap-front shirt that appealed to cowboys, politicians and rock stars.

When Weil wasn’t running his business, he was helping raise money for Republicans across Colorado.

Once during a 1st CD fundraiser held for Ken Chlouber at the Weil house in Denver, Jack entertained a pair of donkeys on his front lawn that were owned by Chlouber. The donkeys were a part of Chlouber’s campaign shtick in his 2002 bid for the seat held by Democrat Diana DeGette.

Weil was open handed in his generosity to Republicans of all stripes once saying that while he didn’t agree with a lot of positions in the Republican Party, “I have more in common fiscally with Republicans and that is why I have and am working hard for Republicans.”  

An artist by training and temperament, Jack Weil was a prolific painter and avid collector of art. His house is a museum piece with tasteful clutter that defies convention while bolstering tradition simultaneously.

Amongst Jack’s eccentricities was a propensity to end a conversation by saying “Over and out.”

His son Steve brought to a stirring close his father’s eulogy, modifying the famous sign off slightly by saying:

“Over and out Jack.”

We’ll leave it there.