Generations with Jack
, Jack Chivers Realty
Published Thursday, October 28, 2010
As soon as someone mentions the name Oklahoma, almost inevitably the theme song from Oklahoma comes to mind, “OH-klahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain…” Usually, that’s as far as it goes. For Jack Chivers, however, that name brings to mind some very dear friends, the Quam’s and the Scribner’s—two families with long time ties to Detroit Lakes…and, of course, Jack Chivers.
This Oklahoma connection started back in the 1960’s. Jack sold John Quam a place on the south shore of Detroit Lake and like so many other “clients” of Jack’s, that business connection grew into a long standing friendship which eventually went on to include another generation, his oldest daughter and son-in-law, Claudia and Ed Scribner.
The Quam family started its roots in Fargo, ND. John, born July 11, 1919, was the second of seven children. His father, Walter, was a well respected Cass County sheriff. In 1947 John married Deloris. At the time, John worked for Armor & Co., a livestock business in West Fargo. The couple was transferred to California and then to several other states before they settled in Frederick, Oklahoma where John went on his own and establish one of the largest cattle operations in Oklahoma, feeding 10,000 head of cattle.
John had several siblings and many friends in the Detroit Lakes area which kept them coming year after year with their three daughters. John eventually sold his cattle company, retired and decided to purchase a place of their own on the south shore. Time was spent here and back in Oklahoma as John was asked by the Governor of Oklahoma, Henry Bellmon, to serve on the State Transportation Commission in the late 1980’s. This was an appointed position and quite an honor.
Claudia also worked for Mr. Bellmon, as his Chief of Staff, aka, “his right hand,” for two decades until he retired. While she was busy in the political arena in Oklahoma, her husband, Ed, was residential contractor, building over 1,000 homes in the area. Eventually he moved into building hotels and big box stores. Claudia retired when Mr. Bellmon did, but not so for Ed. His main focus now is land developing in Oklahoma.
John, Claudia & Ed’s ties to the Detroit Lakes area are still as strong as ever. Every summer is spent on Detroit Lake in a home that Ed and Claudia purchased through Jack. In fact, Ed and Claudia hosted a 90th birthday for John last summer on the same south shore that the Quam’s spent so many summers. These days, Claudia would much prefer that “Ed just relax at the lake,” but developing is in his blood. “Ed likes to walk, and on one of his walks he found a project,” Claudia laughed. Ed purchased another property on Detroit Lake that needed a vision and the expertise he could provide. Swift to snatch up the property, Ed and Jack put the deal together. When asked why Ed continues to invest in the lakes area, the answer was simple…there’s opportunity here, and it keeps him busy.
The Quam’s and the Scribbner’s continue to work with Jack Chivers, and Jack Chivers Realty for the obvious reason, the friendship. However, there is another piece to that working relationship. Jack Chivers Realty provides an unmatchable service. With time being spent in Oklahoma and Minnesota it’s hard to manage all the details required when selling property. Jack’s office doesn’t just market properties, it provides reliable resources. After the renovation of the investment property, windows and interior cleaning needed to be done, yard work and beach cleanup needed to be addressed on a regular basis and with ONE phone call to Jack Chivers, all of that is taken care of!
A well respected financial wizard once said, “To be successful you MUST be a yardstick of quality.” That’s exactly what Jack Chivers Realty is, a yardstick by which many are measured but none add up to the quality of services provided by Jack Chivers Realty.
