I was very fortunate in my real estate career to have worked with many talented people. I began at Safeco Title in 1986…one year later, Chicago Title Insurance Company purchased Safeco and that’s when I first met John Wickwire. I was maybe 19 or 20 years old and worked in the title unit that was next door to "Unit 2", where John was in command. After a few years of being a Title Technician, I begged and pleaded to become a sales person (management wanted me to be at least 21 years old)…after a year as a home equity rep, I had the opportunity to call on mortgage and escrow companies in south west King County. With all of John’s years in the title biz, we wound up sharing many accounts together.
John was like a Dad to all. He probably sometimes cared too much about his co-workers. His heart was always in the right place and his brain was a sharp as a tack. He’s one of the few Title Officers who could quickly weigh out risk and make a decision that would make sense. He was not the typical "text book" T.O. After 5 years at Chicago Title, I moved to another title company to be paid commission and it would be another four years before our paths would cross again.
Chicago Title was starting a "boutique" title company in King County: Washington Title Company. I was one of the first people hired to start it (I was actually hanging around with four others waiting months for it to "open"…what was I thinking?!). John came over once we were open as our first Title Officer and eventually became the Chief Title Officer. He was a great addition to our maybe 8 or so employees at that time! (Now Washington Title in King County has been renamed Ticor…and has a few more employees than when they started).
John was a rock. Everyone relied on his experience, brilliant mind, leadership and dry sense of humor. He was old fashioned yet cutting edge at the same time. You can ask anyone, John was the best.
John was born on July 19, 1947 and passed away on September 12, 2005. He’s a Dad to three beautiful daughters. There is not anything on this earth he was more proud of or had more love for. Two of his daughters are pictured here with John on the day he received an award for his dedication and contributions to the title insurance industry.
On the corner of the bar at Pike Place Bar and Grill is a bronzed plaque reserving a seat for their favorite patron. We miss you, John! I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and to let you know we think about you all the time.
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