| John "Jack" Spoor Broome | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 1, 1917 |
| Died | April 10, 2009 (aged 91) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Aviator, Rancher, Philanthropist |
John "Jack" Spoor Broome (December 1, 1917, - April 10, 2009), was born in Chicago, IL. He was born into a successful ranching family, became an aviator and philanthropist.
Jack was the son of Thornhill Francis Broome and Caryl Russell Spoor. His grandfather, William R. Broome, purchased a part of the Rancho Guadalasca Mexican land grant along the Ventura County coast line, which he later inherited in 1946 upon the death of his father.[1] Jack attended Washington and Lee University and Louisiana State University. Jack was a transport pilot in World War II and was a pilot American Airlines for four years (1943–1946). John "Jack" Broome was an influential philanthropist in Ventura County. Jack was known to be a down to earth man who liked to stay out of the spotlight.[2]
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Jack had an early love for aviation and first soloed a plane at age 17 in 1935.[3] He served as a pilot and pilot trainer for the Army Air Forces’ Air Transport Command over the North Atlantic during World War II.[3] After the war, Jack was a pilot for American Airlines from 1943-1946. In World War II, Jack was nicknamed the “Flying Rancher” for his frequent use of a Mitsubishi MU-2, an aircraft used during World War II.[3] In 1985, to mark the 50th anniversary of his first solo flight, the 68-year-old Broome made a solo round-trip flight across the Atlantic and he continued to pilot his twin turboprop plane until he was 83.[4]
In March 1952, Elizabeth Broome Miller, Jack’s sister, filed a document to appoint Jack as her attorney. Within this document, it is also stated that Jack would be the Rancho Guadalasca manager and sole operator dealing with everything from collecting and receiving monies to hiring and discharging employees.[5] During September 2007, two separate Quitclaim Deeds were filed in Jack’s name (John S Broome). The first was a transfer of 540 acres near Thousand Oaks, CA, known as Brushy Canyon Ranch, from the parents’ (Patricia and John) trust to their children’s trust.[6] The second was a transfer of Rancho Guadalasca, LLC from Jack to his son, John S Broome, Jr.[7]
While Jack's two main careers were in aviation and ranching, he was avidly involved in many side projects. He founded businesses, served on a number of boards and commissions, and was a host to meetings in a group he was connected with. He was the chairman for the Ventura County Harbor Commission and served on the boards of Pepperdine University and the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, founded the Conejo Savings and Loan Association in Thousand Oaks, and also hosted the annual meetings for a group called Quiet Birdman on his ranch in camarillo.[4]
Along with serving on boards and commissions he enjoyed spending time on his yacht. He competed 3 times in the Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Hawaii.[1]
Jack Broome was involved in a variety of different organizations. He helped to found the John Spoor Broome Library at California State University Channel Islands. He supported and helped launch Casa Pacifica, a home in Camarillo that helps to care for neglected children. He supported and donated to Louisiana State University, the school from he received his Bachelors degree.
In 1999 Jack pledged to donate $5 million dollars to help build the library at California State University Channel Islands. Jack wanted the donation to be private, to stick with his low key personality. However, Jack agreed to come into the spotlight when it was suggested that it may motivated others to donate to the up and coming university. This plan worked, according to the president of the university at the time Handel Evans. He stated "in a matter of weeks, one of our other major donors gave another $5 million. So it did work, and we were very, very fortunate. And Jack was very pleased about it all." Jack later commented in an interview with The times saying "I can't think of anything more worthwhile to be involved in. I have nothing to gain by it, and I don't want anything out of it. The only satisfaction I'll get is to see the university blossom into a major educational institution." The donation was one of the largest donations in Ventura County. To recognize Jack for his generous donation, the university named the library after him.[2]