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Photo gallery: A celebration of Tom Love

Co-founder of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores died Tuesday at 85 years old

Tom Love, co-founder of Love's Travel Stops, has died at the age of 85. (Photo: Love's Family of Companies)

Tom Love died in his hometown of Oklahoma City on Tuesday at age 85. He was known for establishing with his wife Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, which grew to more than 600 travel plazas. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, with another two on the way.

The couple started the business, originally named Musket Corp., in 1964 in a small town outside of Oklahoma City.

Here is a collection of photos of the Love family and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores:

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom Love was the executive chairman of the company.



Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom Love bestows the Service Award.

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom Love and his wife Judy were married for 62 years.

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

The couple started the company with $5,000 to lease an abandoned service station in Watonga, a small rural town northwest of Oklahoma City.

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom Love cuts an opening ceremony ribbon.


Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom and Judy Love had four children, Frank, Greg, Jenny and Laura.

Brielle Jaekel

Brielle is the deputy editor of Freight Waves and has a more-than-10-year history in B2B publishing, tackling cutting edge stories in business, with four years specifically focused on freight. She’s interviewed numerous CEOs and is adept at finding stories that matter to the industry. She believes in finding a new way forward in the supply chain to solve problems, drive sustainability and put people first. If you’d like to get in touch with Brielle, please email her at bjaekel@freightwaves.com.