Deseret News, 03/19/03
One of Utah's most prominent entrepreneurs and businessmen, Osborne Jay Call, was killed in an airplane accident on March 15, 2003, near Hailey, Idaho. Jay, age 62, was founder and chief executive officer of Flying J, Inc. He was returning his close friend and retired Flying J executive "Buzz" Richard Germer and his wife, Ilene, to the couple's home in Sun Valley, Idaho, when the accident occurred.
Jay was born on June 4, 1940, in Afton, Wyoming, to Osborne Papworth Call and Janice Miller Call. He grew up as the second child in a family of five in Soda Springs, Idaho, where his father became a prominent businessman before passing away September 7, 1964. Jay briefly attended college and worked for his father.
He married Teddy Lou Brown on June 1, 1960. They had two children and later divorced. On December 16, 1977, he married Tamra Compton of Thatcher, Utah.
Jay started in 1960 with one small leased station in Willard, Utah, and by 1968 he had incorporated as Flying J, Inc. with four independent gasoline outlets. Over the next ten years, he rapidly expanded his discount chain by adding 50 stations, primarily along the Pacific Coast and in Idaho. After several major acquisitions and years of success with the first company-built truckstop (opened in 1979 in Ogden), Jay established the goal of becoming the leader in travel plazas along the interstate highways. Today Flying J has annual sales of $4.6 billion, operates 167 travel plazas in 42 states and Canada, and is the national leader in on-highway diesel sales. Jay's emphasis on clean, appealing, service-oriented facilities for truckers led to an upgrading of the entire industry.
In 2002, based on sales, Flying J was the 45th largest U.S. private corporation in rankings by Forbes magazine. Jay was always interested in new ventures, typically in real-estate and lodging. He was most content when working on a project, flying an airplane, or engaged in making a business deal. He took pride in giving his staff open assignments and watching them grow. As a result, he was revered by his employees (now numbering more than 11,000) as the charismatic leader of the organization. His emphasis on integrity led to the development of trusting relationships with his many associates. He always gave credit to others for the company's success, but it was his keen insight in recognizing opportunities and his willingness to take enormous risks that positioned the company to reach the top of the travel-plaza industry.
He is well known for his generosity, both in and out of the office. Since his youth, Jay owned and operated airplanes. His love of flying led him to become involved in buying, refurbishing, and selling a variety of aircraft, primarily smaller business jets such as the Cessna Citation. He was a skilled pilot who was well known for his cautious nature and continuing dedication to safety. His passion for flying led him to earn an unusual collection of certifications â€" jets, seaplanes, helicopters and even aerobatic aircraft. Over the years he had flown a variety of humanitarian missions for employees and friends.
At the time of his death, he was returning Buzz to his home following an operation at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He often aided in search and rescue missions by using his helicopter to bring several individuals back to safety. Jay had a passion for the outdoors; this love led him to purchase a boat, The Mardiosa, and explore the Pacific Coast where he fished in Alaska and dove off the coast of Mexico. It also led him to Montana where he purchased a ranch and became a true cowboy. The ranch was another example of his simple ways and love for the country lifestyle that had earlier inspired his company name and logo "Flying J," a title based on the common term "Flying" that was used in naming ranches and appeared as an image on cattle brands.
His fascination with cars and motorcycles was a favorite hobby that brought him much enjoyment. Jay enjoyed his grandchildren, visiting with friends and loved ones, and traveling with his bride, the love of his life, Tamra, who was never far from his side. Jay touched and impacted thousands of lives and he will be greatly missed but never forgotten. We can take comfort in the knowledge that he now flies with a new freedom, in a new sky, with a new set of wings.
Survivors include his wife Tamra of Layton; his mother, Janice; a son Thad (Laurie); a daughter, Crystal Maggelet (Chuck); all of Salt Lake City; two sisters: Sharon Anderson (Larry), serving an LDS mission in Houston, Texas; and Candace Young (Gerald) of Soda Springs; two brothers: Craig (Janine) of Plain City, Utah; and Lance (Kathryn) of North Ogden; and six grandchildren: Whitney and Tyson Call and Drew, Alexis, Hailey and Erica Maggelet.
A memorial service will be held at the Val A. Browning Performing Arts Center, located at Weber State University, 3850 University Circle, Ogden, UT on March 22, at 1:00 p.m. The service will be followed by a celebration of Jay's life to be held at the Ogden Marriott, 247 24th Street, 5:30-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jay's memory to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, 801-585-1762.
Published in the Deseret News on 3/19/2003.
One of Utah's most prominent entrepreneurs and businessmen, Osborne Jay Call, was killed in an airplane accident on March 15, 2003, near Hailey, Idaho. Jay, age 62, was founder and chief executive officer of Flying J, Inc. He was returning his close friend and retired Flying J executive "Buzz" Richard Germer and his wife, Ilene, to the couple's home in Sun Valley, Idaho, when the accident occurred.
Jay was born on June 4, 1940, in Afton, Wyoming, to Osborne Papworth Call and Janice Miller Call. He grew up as the second child in a family of five in Soda Springs, Idaho, where his father became a prominent businessman before passing away September 7, 1964. Jay briefly attended college and worked for his father.
He married Teddy Lou Brown on June 1, 1960. They had two children and later divorced. On December 16, 1977, he married Tamra Compton of Thatcher, Utah.
Jay started in 1960 with one small leased station in Willard, Utah, and by 1968 he had incorporated as Flying J, Inc. with four independent gasoline outlets. Over the next ten years, he rapidly expanded his discount chain by adding 50 stations, primarily along the Pacific Coast and in Idaho. After several major acquisitions and years of success with the first company-built truckstop (opened in 1979 in Ogden), Jay established the goal of becoming the leader in travel plazas along the interstate highways. Today Flying J has annual sales of $4.6 billion, operates 167 travel plazas in 42 states and Canada, and is the national leader in on-highway diesel sales. Jay's emphasis on clean, appealing, service-oriented facilities for truckers led to an upgrading of the entire industry.
In 2002, based on sales, Flying J was the 45th largest U.S. private corporation in rankings by Forbes magazine. Jay was always interested in new ventures, typically in real-estate and lodging. He was most content when working on a project, flying an airplane, or engaged in making a business deal. He took pride in giving his staff open assignments and watching them grow. As a result, he was revered by his employees (now numbering more than 11,000) as the charismatic leader of the organization. His emphasis on integrity led to the development of trusting relationships with his many associates. He always gave credit to others for the company's success, but it was his keen insight in recognizing opportunities and his willingness to take enormous risks that positioned the company to reach the top of the travel-plaza industry.
He is well known for his generosity, both in and out of the office. Since his youth, Jay owned and operated airplanes. His love of flying led him to become involved in buying, refurbishing, and selling a variety of aircraft, primarily smaller business jets such as the Cessna Citation. He was a skilled pilot who was well known for his cautious nature and continuing dedication to safety. His passion for flying led him to earn an unusual collection of certifications â€" jets, seaplanes, helicopters and even aerobatic aircraft. Over the years he had flown a variety of humanitarian missions for employees and friends.
At the time of his death, he was returning Buzz to his home following an operation at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He often aided in search and rescue missions by using his helicopter to bring several individuals back to safety. Jay had a passion for the outdoors; this love led him to purchase a boat, The Mardiosa, and explore the Pacific Coast where he fished in Alaska and dove off the coast of Mexico. It also led him to Montana where he purchased a ranch and became a true cowboy. The ranch was another example of his simple ways and love for the country lifestyle that had earlier inspired his company name and logo "Flying J," a title based on the common term "Flying" that was used in naming ranches and appeared as an image on cattle brands.
His fascination with cars and motorcycles was a favorite hobby that brought him much enjoyment. Jay enjoyed his grandchildren, visiting with friends and loved ones, and traveling with his bride, the love of his life, Tamra, who was never far from his side. Jay touched and impacted thousands of lives and he will be greatly missed but never forgotten. We can take comfort in the knowledge that he now flies with a new freedom, in a new sky, with a new set of wings.
Survivors include his wife Tamra of Layton; his mother, Janice; a son Thad (Laurie); a daughter, Crystal Maggelet (Chuck); all of Salt Lake City; two sisters: Sharon Anderson (Larry), serving an LDS mission in Houston, Texas; and Candace Young (Gerald) of Soda Springs; two brothers: Craig (Janine) of Plain City, Utah; and Lance (Kathryn) of North Ogden; and six grandchildren: Whitney and Tyson Call and Drew, Alexis, Hailey and Erica Maggelet.
A memorial service will be held at the Val A. Browning Performing Arts Center, located at Weber State University, 3850 University Circle, Ogden, UT on March 22, at 1:00 p.m. The service will be followed by a celebration of Jay's life to be held at the Ogden Marriott, 247 24th Street, 5:30-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jay's memory to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, 801-585-1762.
Published in the Deseret News on 3/19/2003.
Deseret News, 03/19/03
One of Utah's most prominent entrepreneurs and businessmen, Osborne Jay Call, was killed in an airplane accident on March 15, 2003, near Hailey, Idaho. Jay, age 62, was founder and chief executive officer of Flying J, Inc. He was returning his close friend and retired Flying J executive "Buzz" Richard Germer and his wife, Ilene, to the couple's home in Sun Valley, Idaho, when the accident occurred.
Jay was born on June 4, 1940, in Afton, Wyoming, to Osborne Papworth Call and Janice Miller Call. He grew up as the second child in a family of five in Soda Springs, Idaho, where his father became a prominent businessman before passing away September 7, 1964. Jay briefly attended college and worked for his father.
He married Teddy Lou Brown on June 1, 1960. They had two children and later divorced. On December 16, 1977, he married Tamra Compton of Thatcher, Utah.
Jay started in 1960 with one small leased station in Willard, Utah, and by 1968 he had incorporated as Flying J, Inc. with four independent gasoline outlets. Over the next ten years, he rapidly expanded his discount chain by adding 50 stations, primarily along the Pacific Coast and in Idaho. After several major acquisitions and years of success with the first company-built truckstop (opened in 1979 in Ogden), Jay established the goal of becoming the leader in travel plazas along the interstate highways. Today Flying J has annual sales of $4.6 billion, operates 167 travel plazas in 42 states and Canada, and is the national leader in on-highway diesel sales. Jay's emphasis on clean, appealing, service-oriented facilities for truckers led to an upgrading of the entire industry.
In 2002, based on sales, Flying J was the 45th largest U.S. private corporation in rankings by Forbes magazine. Jay was always interested in new ventures, typically in real-estate and lodging. He was most content when working on a project, flying an airplane, or engaged in making a business deal. He took pride in giving his staff open assignments and watching them grow. As a result, he was revered by his employees (now numbering more than 11,000) as the charismatic leader of the organization. His emphasis on integrity led to the development of trusting relationships with his many associates. He always gave credit to others for the company's success, but it was his keen insight in recognizing opportunities and his willingness to take enormous risks that positioned the company to reach the top of the travel-plaza industry.
He is well known for his generosity, both in and out of the office. Since his youth, Jay owned and operated airplanes. His love of flying led him to become involved in buying, refurbishing, and selling a variety of aircraft, primarily smaller business jets such as the Cessna Citation. He was a skilled pilot who was well known for his cautious nature and continuing dedication to safety. His passion for flying led him to earn an unusual collection of certifications â€" jets, seaplanes, helicopters and even aerobatic aircraft. Over the years he had flown a variety of humanitarian missions for employees and friends.
At the time of his death, he was returning Buzz to his home following an operation at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He often aided in search and rescue missions by using his helicopter to bring several individuals back to safety. Jay had a passion for the outdoors; this love led him to purchase a boat, The Mardiosa, and explore the Pacific Coast where he fished in Alaska and dove off the coast of Mexico. It also led him to Montana where he purchased a ranch and became a true cowboy. The ranch was another example of his simple ways and love for the country lifestyle that had earlier inspired his company name and logo "Flying J," a title based on the common term "Flying" that was used in naming ranches and appeared as an image on cattle brands.
His fascination with cars and motorcycles was a favorite hobby that brought him much enjoyment. Jay enjoyed his grandchildren, visiting with friends and loved ones, and traveling with his bride, the love of his life, Tamra, who was never far from his side. Jay touched and impacted thousands of lives and he will be greatly missed but never forgotten. We can take comfort in the knowledge that he now flies with a new freedom, in a new sky, with a new set of wings.
Survivors include his wife Tamra of Layton; his mother, Janice; a son Thad (Laurie); a daughter, Crystal Maggelet (Chuck); all of Salt Lake City; two sisters: Sharon Anderson (Larry), serving an LDS mission in Houston, Texas; and Candace Young (Gerald) of Soda Springs; two brothers: Craig (Janine) of Plain City, Utah; and Lance (Kathryn) of North Ogden; and six grandchildren: Whitney and Tyson Call and Drew, Alexis, Hailey and Erica Maggelet.
A memorial service will be held at the Val A. Browning Performing Arts Center, located at Weber State University, 3850 University Circle, Ogden, UT on March 22, at 1:00 p.m. The service will be followed by a celebration of Jay's life to be held at the Ogden Marriott, 247 24th Street, 5:30-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jay's memory to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, 801-585-1762.
Published in the Deseret News on 3/19/2003.
One of Utah's most prominent entrepreneurs and businessmen, Osborne Jay Call, was killed in an airplane accident on March 15, 2003, near Hailey, Idaho. Jay, age 62, was founder and chief executive officer of Flying J, Inc. He was returning his close friend and retired Flying J executive "Buzz" Richard Germer and his wife, Ilene, to the couple's home in Sun Valley, Idaho, when the accident occurred.
Jay was born on June 4, 1940, in Afton, Wyoming, to Osborne Papworth Call and Janice Miller Call. He grew up as the second child in a family of five in Soda Springs, Idaho, where his father became a prominent businessman before passing away September 7, 1964. Jay briefly attended college and worked for his father.
He married Teddy Lou Brown on June 1, 1960. They had two children and later divorced. On December 16, 1977, he married Tamra Compton of Thatcher, Utah.
Jay started in 1960 with one small leased station in Willard, Utah, and by 1968 he had incorporated as Flying J, Inc. with four independent gasoline outlets. Over the next ten years, he rapidly expanded his discount chain by adding 50 stations, primarily along the Pacific Coast and in Idaho. After several major acquisitions and years of success with the first company-built truckstop (opened in 1979 in Ogden), Jay established the goal of becoming the leader in travel plazas along the interstate highways. Today Flying J has annual sales of $4.6 billion, operates 167 travel plazas in 42 states and Canada, and is the national leader in on-highway diesel sales. Jay's emphasis on clean, appealing, service-oriented facilities for truckers led to an upgrading of the entire industry.
In 2002, based on sales, Flying J was the 45th largest U.S. private corporation in rankings by Forbes magazine. Jay was always interested in new ventures, typically in real-estate and lodging. He was most content when working on a project, flying an airplane, or engaged in making a business deal. He took pride in giving his staff open assignments and watching them grow. As a result, he was revered by his employees (now numbering more than 11,000) as the charismatic leader of the organization. His emphasis on integrity led to the development of trusting relationships with his many associates. He always gave credit to others for the company's success, but it was his keen insight in recognizing opportunities and his willingness to take enormous risks that positioned the company to reach the top of the travel-plaza industry.
He is well known for his generosity, both in and out of the office. Since his youth, Jay owned and operated airplanes. His love of flying led him to become involved in buying, refurbishing, and selling a variety of aircraft, primarily smaller business jets such as the Cessna Citation. He was a skilled pilot who was well known for his cautious nature and continuing dedication to safety. His passion for flying led him to earn an unusual collection of certifications â€" jets, seaplanes, helicopters and even aerobatic aircraft. Over the years he had flown a variety of humanitarian missions for employees and friends.
At the time of his death, he was returning Buzz to his home following an operation at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He often aided in search and rescue missions by using his helicopter to bring several individuals back to safety. Jay had a passion for the outdoors; this love led him to purchase a boat, The Mardiosa, and explore the Pacific Coast where he fished in Alaska and dove off the coast of Mexico. It also led him to Montana where he purchased a ranch and became a true cowboy. The ranch was another example of his simple ways and love for the country lifestyle that had earlier inspired his company name and logo "Flying J," a title based on the common term "Flying" that was used in naming ranches and appeared as an image on cattle brands.
His fascination with cars and motorcycles was a favorite hobby that brought him much enjoyment. Jay enjoyed his grandchildren, visiting with friends and loved ones, and traveling with his bride, the love of his life, Tamra, who was never far from his side. Jay touched and impacted thousands of lives and he will be greatly missed but never forgotten. We can take comfort in the knowledge that he now flies with a new freedom, in a new sky, with a new set of wings.
Survivors include his wife Tamra of Layton; his mother, Janice; a son Thad (Laurie); a daughter, Crystal Maggelet (Chuck); all of Salt Lake City; two sisters: Sharon Anderson (Larry), serving an LDS mission in Houston, Texas; and Candace Young (Gerald) of Soda Springs; two brothers: Craig (Janine) of Plain City, Utah; and Lance (Kathryn) of North Ogden; and six grandchildren: Whitney and Tyson Call and Drew, Alexis, Hailey and Erica Maggelet.
A memorial service will be held at the Val A. Browning Performing Arts Center, located at Weber State University, 3850 University Circle, Ogden, UT on March 22, at 1:00 p.m. The service will be followed by a celebration of Jay's life to be held at the Ogden Marriott, 247 24th Street, 5:30-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jay's memory to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, 801-585-1762.
Published in the Deseret News on 3/19/2003.
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