JACKSON -- Jerry L. Strack and his wife, Mary J. Strack, have purchased Compas and Strack Inc., and have changed the name of the John Deere agriculture, lawn and garden equipment firm to Strack Equipment Co.

Strack has been a partner in the business since it was founded 25 years ago in Cape Girardeau.

"The business remains the same," said Strack. "We'll continue to offer the John Deere agriculture line and lawn and garden equipment complete with parts and service."

The company has a radio-dispatched fleet of service trucks and two tractor-trailer trucks for "on-the-spot" service.

The company employs 15 people.

The firm is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for parts, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for equipment sales and service Mondays through Fridays.

"We're open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday for parts only," said Strack. "But once we get into the heavy farming season we'll be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Jerry Strack and the late Leon Compas founded the company in January 1966 at 238 S. Spanish in Cape Girardeau.

The two men purchased the interests of their former employer, Gowin Equipment, to form their own enterprise. In 1974 they resituated the business to 2990 Old Orchard Road, off Highway 61 East.