Terry Jackson, the founder of pool equipment maker Kreepy Krauly, has passed away aged 85.
Terry Jackson, the founder of pool equipment maker Kreepy Krauly, has passed away aged 85.
A dedicated philanthropist who had been a lifelong supporter of the Liberal Party and political fund-raising group The 500 Club, Mr Jackson retreated from public life many years ago due to illness.
Mr Jackson and his late wife Val had seven grandchildren from their three offspring, Victoria, Andrew and Sarah.
Andrew and Sarah have run the family business for many years.
Arriving from Britain when he was 15, Mr Jackson studied engineering at Perth Technical College.
He had a lifelong habit of tinkering with technology that led him into the pool cleaning business as well as many diversions such as prototype electric vehicles (pictured below).
Mr Jackson, whose business Sherwood Overseas Co was selling pools at the time, founded Kreepy Krauly in 1976 after collaborating with the designer of an existing design to create the first commercial version of the automated pool vacuum cleaner.
Mr Jackson started with the Australian rights for Kreepy Krauly, establishing a manufacturing and research and development operation in Osborne Park where products are still designed and produced.
He was also a major property investor, including owning Menzies House in Murray Street which he provided to the WA Liberal Party as its headquarters.
He was also a founder and patron of the 500 Club, the fundraising vehicle which holds business functions for people who are not necessarily Liberal Party members.
Mr Jackson was also patron of the St George's Cathedral restoration fund, and donated money to the arts in WA, including the WA Opera, WA Symphony Orchestra and the WA Ballet.
A prototype electric vehicle developed by Terry Jackson more than 40 years ago.
Former WA parliamentarian and businessman Ian Laurance said he was a great admirer of Mr Jackson with whom he worked closely at The 500 Club.
“He gave a lot back to the community in many ways, he was very philanthropic,” Mr Laurance said.
Mr Jackson was an innovator who backed developers, he said.
“He invested in a lot of startup things back when it was not as sexy as it is these days,” Mr Laurance said.
“A lot didn’t pay off until he found Kreepy Krauly, that turned out well for him.
“He marketed it all over the world.”
Former The 500 Club chief executive Margaret Coulthard said Mr Jackson had been a major backer of both the fund raising organisation and the Liberal Party.
“He was a great friend and supporter of John Howard during his tenure as Prime Minister and before that,” Ms Coulthard said.
She said Mr Jackson’s ‘old school’ bearing reflected his British upbringing before emigrating to Australia.
Mr Jackson was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004 for service to the community as a benefactor to a range of church and social welfare groups, and to the development of international business opportunities.
His service as a member of the charitable organisation The Western Australian Commandery of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus was also recognised in his obituaries.
