As long as he lives, Jack Moon will never tire of bragging about his time at Cargill Inc., an agriculture company.

Even though the zenith of his career was in the mid-1960s, the 101-year-old (born Dec. 14, 1912), will share with anyone who has time to listen about his record-setting seed corn sales days. 

“It was a goal of every salesman in those days to sell 1,000 bags,” Moon said. “I was the only one who ever did it.”

Born just over the South Dakota state line in Minnesota, his farming family lived in Sherman, where Moon learned the agricultural trade.

He grew up hunting the many jackrabbits and prairie chickens in the area and would catch mink. He fished as often as he could, sometimes taking his wife of 67 years, Henrietta.

The two grew up just miles apart on farms in South Dakota, and married after knowing each other for 10 years. She passed away close to eight years ago, but Moon still has one son in the area to visit.

After spending most of his life in the Dakotas, Moon and Henrietta retired and moved to the Flathead Valley in 1981.

The Moons often traveled to warmer climes, and Moon recalls several trips to places such as Miami, San Diego and the Bahamas. Of the latter, he said: “The British can keep it, it’s too hot.”

His story-telling abilities have not diminished with age, and his wry wit keeps the staff at Heritage Place laughing.

What’s his secret to long life? Well, Moon admits it isn’t exactly approved by the Surgeon General.

“I chewed tobacco for 70 years,” he said. “I told my doctor that and he said, ‘Well, I can’t advise that, but I can’t find anything wrong with you.’” 

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.