By Justin Smith | The Selma Times-Journal

Selma businessman Jerry Donald Victor left a lasting impact on the Selma community as well as its economy.

Victor is perhaps best known for being the longtime owner of Victor Nissan in Selma.

Victor joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17. He served for a total of four years from 1960-1964.

He graduated from Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago.

He worked for 12 years as a banker before working for a marketing company. He was an automotive dealer for 24 years.

“He had a huge impact on Selma’s economy,” Judge Kim Ballard said.  “He opened one of the largest car dealerships in the area and brought many dollars to Selma and surrounding areas.”

Ballard had many interactions with Victor through the years.

“I must have traded cars with him over 15 times,” said Ballard, a car collector himself. “He would always say I was hard to deal with, and I would say ‘No, you are the one that is hard to deal with.’”

Victor is also remembered as a role model to the people that have worked beside him. Gary Myton spent almost 24 years working with Victor. He cherishes the moments that he spent with him.

“He was a good man and a learned a lot from him,” Myton said. “He was mighty good to me and all my interactions with him where great.”

The Selma community was one of the things that Victor supported His dealership put money into the economy and he didn’t mind helping out people.

“He never failed to donate during any time that I asked him to contribute,” Ballard said.

Victor is survived by his wife of 24 years, Cynthia Striplin Victor, and four children, Jennifer Campagna, Katie Rives Holy Tubbs, Beverly Carter and Craig Victor. Being a family man was one of the most important things to Victor.

“He did a good job on looking out for his family and trying to do the best that he could to support them,” Myton said.

The funeral services for Victor will be at 4 p.m.

Visitation is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. Interment will be at Old Live Oak Cemetery with Dr. Jerry Henry officiating and Selma Funeral Home directing.

“He and his dealership are truly missed,” Ballard said.