Above Video, Lifetime Achievement Award – Jack Brown, Stater Bros. Markets, 2011 Spirit awards.
Stater Bros. Markets announces the passing of Jack H. Brown.
San Bernardino, Ca. – Stater Bros. Markets announces the passing of “Our Jack”, Jack H. Brown on November 13, 2016.
[ecko_quote source=”Pete Van Helden, President of Stater Bros.”]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,[/ecko_quote]
Update 11/22/16 – Memorial on Dec. 3rd.
– Ryan Hagen – San Bernardino Sun Reporter
Public memorial for Stater Bros. leader, philanthropist Jack Brown set: Dec. 3 @ @CBBankArena https://t.co/JYJKOqqqhr pic.twitter.com/0ESvfYSTKL
— Ryan Hagen (@rmhagen) November 21, 2016
Brown joined Stater Bros. in 1981. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stater Bros. Markets for over thirty-five (35) years and as Chairman for Stater Bros. for over thirty (30) years. Brown became the Executive Chairman after appointing Pete Van Helden to the position of President and CEO earlier this year.
A native of San Bernardino, California, Brown began his Supermarket career as a box boy at Berk’s Market Spot in San Bernardino at the age of thirteen (13), sparking a sixty-five (65) year career in the grocery industry. Brown was passionate about the supermarket industry. He loved his “Family” of Employees and the loyal Stater Bros. customers who he proudly served since taking the helm of Stater Bros. Markets.
Brown has been recognized for his generosity in giving back to the “valued” communities he loved and so proudly served. In 2008, he established Stater Bros. Charities, the philanthropic arm of Stater Bros. Markets as a way to give back in a larger way. Brown was a founder of the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino, and the Founding Chairman of Children’s Fund of San Bernardino County.
[ecko_quote source=”Bruce Baron, San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor” ]His generosity opened doors of opportunity for countless of families, and his optimism transformed the trajectory of Inland Southern California. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who loved him.[/ecko_quote]
San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Bruce Baron’s statement regarding the death of San Bernardino Valley College alumnus and Stater Bros. Markets Executive Chairman Jack H. Brown:
“San Bernardino Community College District joins hundreds of neighborhoods across California to mourn the loss of a visionary giant, Jack H. Brown. From his humble beginnings as a grocery store box boy and tenacious student at San Bernardino Valley College in the late 50s, to his ascension to lead Stater Bros. Markets, one of the nation’s largest supermarket chains, Jack’s extraordinary life embodied the promise of our community. His generosity opened doors of opportunity for countless of families, and his optimism transformed the trajectory of Inland Southern California. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who loved him.”
[ecko_quote source=”Carl Dameron” ]Jack Brown’s death is a great loss to our community, he believed in the best of us and he contributed to our economic welfare, our social welfare and he’s constantly said positive things.[/ecko_quote]
Most recently, the California State University Board of Trustees named the “Jack H. Brown” College of Business and Public Administration at California State University San Bernardino in July, 2016. Brown will be remembered with love, affection, and by his countless acts of kindness. He was an incredibly thoughtful man whose accomplishments and generosity will be remembered for many years to come.
“Grief is not a strong enough word to describe what the Stater Bros. ‘Family’ feels,” stated Stater Bros. President and CEO Pete Van Helden. “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,” Van Helden continued.
Brown was a proud Navy Veteran who served on active duty with the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy during the Vietnam era. Brown’s support of the military and our nation’s veterans remains unparalleled.
In 2004, he received the “Friend of the Veteran Award” from the Riverside National Cemetery’s Veterans’ Advisory Committee for his continued support of volunteer services to Veterans and their families. Brown also received the “Patriot Award” in 2011, the highest award the Congressional Medal of Honor Society can bestow upon an individual.
In addition, Jack was one of ten Distinguished Americans to receive the 1992 “Horatio Alger Award” in Washington, D.C., in recognition of his outstanding contributions to America and the “American Dream.”
Brown has received countless awards for his contributions to the supermarket industry. In 2001, Brown received the California Grocers Association “Hall of Achievement Award” for a lifetime of dedication to the Grocery Industry, and in 2005, he received the prestigious “Sidney R. Rabb Award”, the Supermarket Industry’s highest award.
Brown is survived by his cherished wife Debbie, three beloved daughters; J. Kathleen Smith (Michael Smith), Cara Hoffman (Scott Hoffman) and Melissa Koss (Pete Koss). He had seven grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Colleen, Caden, Dylan, Julianna, Jack Ryan and Emma.
His burial will be private for family only with a memorial to follow at a later date.
About Stater Bros. Markets:
Stater Bros. was founded in 1936 in Yucaipa, California, and has grown steadily through the years to become the largest privately owned Supermarket Chain in Southern California and the largest private employer in both San Bernardino County and Riverside County. The Company currently operates 169 Supermarkets, and there are approximately 18,000 employees.