Tom Love

Thomas E. Love (born October 1937) is an American billionaire businessman. He is the owner, founder and executive chairman of Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores.

For the Kansas politician, see Tom Love (politician).
Tom Love
Born
Thomas E. Love

October 1937 (age 83)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
EducationSt. Gregory's High School
Alma materSt. John's University (dropped out)
University of Oklahoma (dropped out)
OccupationChairman and CEO, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
Net worth $5.40 Billion (December 2020)[1]
Spouse(s)Judy Love
Children4
Parent(s)F. C. Love and Margaret Eugenia Vessels Love

Early life

Thomas E. Love[2] was born in Oklahoma City in October 1937,[3] one of six siblings, the son of F. C. Love, a lawyer who was later president of the oil company Kerr-McGee,[4] and Margaret Eugenia Vessels Love.[2]

Aged 13, he left home to be educated as a boarder at St. Gregory's High School in Shawnee, where he was a standout football player.[4][5]

Love attended St. John's University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, but left after less than one semester.[5] He then joined the US Marine Corps and over a three-year career, rose to the rank of corporal. When he left the Marines, he married and decided to try college once more.[5] He dropped out of the University of Oklahoma in 1964.[6]

Career

Initially, Love owned restaurants and car washes, until he discovered an opportunity in abandoned gas stations.[4]

In January 1964, Love and his wife Judy leased a self-service gas station in Watonga, Oklahoma.[6][4] Love went on to open another 30 gas stations. Then in 1971, he decided to merge self-service gas stations with convenience stores, and the business continued to grow.[4]

Today, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores is a national chain with more than 500 locations in 40 states.[7]

Personal life

Tom and Judy Love married on December 26, 1961.[3] They have four children and live in Oklahoma City, US. Three of their children work for the company.[6] Frank Love and Greg Love are co-CEOs, and Jenny Love Meyer is the vice president of communications.[7]

Judy Love is secretary of Love's Travel Stops, and president of Love's Family Foundation. She sits on the boards of Oklahoma City University, SSM Health Care, the St. Anthony Foundation, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Civic Center Music Hall, Allied Arts, Community Foundation and the University of Central Oklahoma Foundation.[8]

References
  1. "Bloomberg profile:Tom Love". Bloomberg. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  2. "Margaret Eugenia Vessels Love". NewsOK. February 3, 2005. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  3. "Tom Love". SMEI Academy of Achievement. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  4. Shottenkirk, Marcia (April 9, 2007). "The Century Club: Tom Love, CEO of Love's Country Stores". The Journal Record. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  5. May, Bill (July 1, 1995). "Diligence, Good Sites Give Love Midas Touch". The Journal Record. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  6. "Forbes profile:Tom & Judy Love". Forbes. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  7. "Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc". Loves.com. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  8. Jane Jayroe (25 January 2011). Devote Forty Days. Tate Publishing. pp. 125–126. ISBN 978-1-61739-098-2.
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