lit a candle 3h ago89 years old. Fifty of them turning one Richmond grocery store into a whole regional chain.
Their story
James E. "Jim" Ukrop, the Richmond grocery executive and civic leader who helped turn his family's single Southside market into Ukrop's Super Markets and then poured his energy into the city's schools, arts and downtown revival, died on 25 September 2026 in Richmond, Virginia. He was 89. His family said…
James E. "Jim" Ukrop, the Richmond grocery executive and civic leader who helped turn his family's single Southside market into Ukrop's Super Markets and then poured his energy into the city's schools, arts and downtown revival, died on 25 September 2026 in Richmond, Virginia. He was 89. His family said his health had been declining for some time and that his death was not unexpected.
Ukrop was the eldest son of Joseph and Jacquelin Ukrop, who opened a tiny Hull Street grocery in 1937 after mortgaging the family farm. After graduating from John Marshall High School and the College of William and Mary in 1960, he joined the business and persuaded his father to open a second store. Working with his younger brother, Robert "Bobby" Ukrop, he helped expand the company into a regional chain of dozens of locations known for prepared foods, customer service and a Golden Rule ethos. Stores were closed on Sundays and did not sell alcohol. Jim became president in 1974 and held the title for about two decades before Bobby succeeded him. Facing growing competition, the family sold the 25-store supermarket operation to Giant-Carlisle in 2010 for about $140 million; the stores later operated under the Martin's brand, while Ukrop's continued as a food manufacturing business and Market Hall presence.
Away from the aisles, Ukrop chaired First Market Bank, co-founded New Richmond Ventures to back local startups, and became one of Richmond's most active civic volunteers. He helped form Richmond Renaissance, supported the Richmond Folk Festival, and was a founding director of the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance that helped fund what is now the Dominion Energy Center. He backed public schools and Communities in Schools, and later opposed casino proposals for the city. At William and Mary he served on the Board of Visitors and many foundation boards, received the Alumni Medallion and an honorary doctorate, and with his wife Bobbie supported scholarships, athletics and the Mason School of Business.
He met Barbara "Bobbie" Berkeley at William and Mary; they married after her graduation and raised sons Scott and Ted. Friends and colleagues remembered a humble, hands-on leader who preferred showing up to writing cheques alone. Former Venture Richmond leader Jack Berry called him one of Richmond's most consequential business and civic leaders of their lifetime. Ukrop is survived by Bobbie, Bobby, his sons and their families, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Biography adapted from The Richmonder (Graham Moomaw), William & Mary Alumni Magazine in memoriam, Richmond Times-Dispatch archival interviews cited in coverage, VPM.
In their own words
“Actions speak louder than words.”
Family description of one of his mantras, via son Scott Ukrop
“I work for fun and I play golf for tension.”
Recalled by son Ted Ukrop
“Feel better when they leave than when they come in.”
1991 interview describing the goal of Ukrop's customer service
Photos
1by People Forever
