SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Executive Chairman of grocery retailer Stater Bros. Markets, Jack H. Brown Jr., passed away Sunday, November 13, 2016, at the age of 78.

Brown passed at 10:45 pm, surrounded by his entire family, according to a statement released by Stater Bros.

“Grief is not a strong enough word to describe what the Stater Bros. ‘Family’ feels,” Stater Bros. President and CEO Pete Van Helden said in the statement. “Jack touched every one of us in a very personal way, and it is that legacy that we must carry forward. He loved the business, his company and each one of us.”

Brown was elected President of Stater Bros. in April of 1981, at a time when the chain had 92 stores and annual sales of $500 million; under Brown’s leadership, the grocery chain grew to 169 stores. Brown headed the company for roughly thirty-five years before stepping down as CEO last December. Brown continued to work for Stater Bros. in the capacity of Executive Chairman.

Brown made community involvement a priority—both personally and professionally. Embracing his community’s love of car culture, Stater Bros. became the titles sponsor of the Route 66 Rendezvous from 1997 to 2013.

A native of San Bernardino, Brown was known as much for his charity work in the community as his business acumen. Brown was born and raised along San Bernardino’s stretch of Route 66. He grew to be a much beloved philanthropist in the community and supported a variety of charitable organizations, including Redlands’ annual Believe Walk for Inland Women Fighting Cancer and the Salvation Army.

“Jack Brown’s death is a great loss to our community,” said Carl Dameron, who works closely with Salvation Army of San Bernardino and other groups that benefited from Stater Bros.’ generosity. “He was someone who believed in the best of us and he contributed to our economic welfare, our social welfare and he’s also a person who constantly said positive things. He upped the morale of our community.”

Brown was a Navy veteran and outspokenly patriotic. At Brown’s urging, the Stater Bros. corporate offices at San Bernardino International Airport showcased memorabilia honoring squadrons from the Norton Air Force Base, a now defunct local military outlet.

Brown is survived by his wife, Debbie, three beloved daughters; J. Kathleen Smith, Cara Hoffman, and Melissa Koss; and his seven grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Colleen, Caden, Dylan, Julianna, Jack Ryan, and Emma.

Services will be held privately. 

Our deepest condolences to Brown’s survivors and to those he touched during his long and bountiful life.