Tom Love was the founder of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, a sprawling roadside empire with over 600 locations in 42 states. Though founded in 1964, it would take decades for Love to grow his brand into the billion-dollar behemoth it is today. Love’s is the 10th-largest privately owned company in the United States. Love was also involved in charitable work throughout his life and has been praised as a pioneer in roadside services.
- Died: March 7, 2023 (Who else died on March 7?)
- Details of death: Died in Oklahoma City at age 85.
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Early Life and Career
Love was born in Oklahoma City, a descendant of two Chickasaw families forced to march in the Trail of Tears. His father, Frank Criner Love, Jr., was president of the Kerr-McGee oil company. Love briefly attended St. John’s University before serving a three-year stint in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1964, he and his wife, Judy, saw a potential business opportunity in abandoned gas stations. They leased an empty self-service station, and by the end of the decade had grown their business venture to over 30 locations.
Building An Empire
In 1971, Love had an idea that is now commonplace: merging gas stations with small grocery stores and other roadside services. With this combination of fuel station and convenience store as its new business model, Love’s grew to over 60 locations by the end of the decade, and in 1981 reached 100 locations. The company soon began offering freshly made food and partnering with an array of fast food chains. Massive growth followed. Love would go on to cede many company operations to his children, devoting his later days to supporting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, United Way, Catholic Charities, with a primary focus on local interests, such as Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma.
Tributes to Tom Love
Full Obituary: The Oklahoman
