America’s oldest CEO, Jack A. Weil, died Wednesday at the age of 107.
Weil founded Rockmount Ranch Wear Manufacturing Co. in 1946 and revolutionized American fashion by originating the Western shirt. His snap-buttoned creation has been seen on everyone from cowboys to celebrities. John Travolta wore one in the movie “Urban Cowboy.”
Weil, who remained involved in the day-to-day operations of his company until recently, was born March 28, 1901 in Evansville, Indiana. He began in the apparel business while still in high school, and moved to Denver in 1928.
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter issued a statement in which he said: "Jack A. Weil was a legendary Coloradan and a pioneering Denver businessman. He set up shop in Lower Downtown when it was mostly a warehouse district. He was wise enough to keep Rockmount right where it is, through the hard times, and today the business attracts customers from around the world. Colorado will miss him dearly, but thanks to his family and Rockmount's unique Western fashions, his legacy will live on for at least another 107 years."
Weil and his wife Bea, who died in 1990, had two children: Jack B. and Jane. Jack B. Weil died in January at the age of 79.
Other survivors include five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Aug. 17 at Temple Emanuel. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Anti Defamation League, American Red Cross Denver or to a favorite charity.
, founder and CEO of Rockmount Ranch Wear died on August 13 at the age of 107 in Denver, Colorado. He was the oldest working CEO in the United States. He was also known as "Papa Jack".

He was born on March 28, 1901 in , Indiana. In 1946, Weil rented a space at 1626 Wazee Street in Denver and set about trying to create a fashionable yet practical identity for the western ranchers of the region.

Weil was well-known for coining the phrase "The West is not a place, it is a state of mind." He was the first person to put snaps on , patented the saw-tooth pocket design seen on many Western shirts, and was credited with inventing the .

In 2001, he told Associated Press, "I learned fast you can't sell to cowboys; they have no money. You have to appeal to the cowboy in everyone and sell to them."

Among his customers were , ,  and . More recently, Rockmount shirts were worn by the late  and  in the 2005 Academy Award-nominated movie, ''''. 

Weil's wife, Beatrice Baum, died in 1990, followed by his son Jack B. in January 2008.

"I never wanted to be the richest man in the cemetery," he told his grandson and current president of the family business.