In memoriam: Stater Bros.’ Jack Brown, San Bernardino Valley College Hall of Famer
November 14, 2016 — San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Bruce Baron today issued the following statement regarding the death of San Bernardino Valley College alumnus and Stater Bros. Markets Executive Chairman Jack H. Brown:
“Today, the San Bernardino Community College District joins hundreds of neighborhoods across California to mourn the loss of a visionary giant, Jack H. Brown. From his humble beginnings as a grocery store box boy and tenacious student at San Bernardino Valley College in the late 50s, to his ascension to lead Stater Bros. Markets, one of the nation’s largest supermarket chains, Jack’s extraordinary life embodied the promise of our community. His generosity opened doors of opportunity for countless families, and his optimism transformed the trajectory of Inland Southern California. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who loved him.”
Surrounded by his entire family, Jack H. Brown passed away on November 13 at 10:45 p.m. at the age of 78.
Brown is survived by his wife Debbie, three daughters; J. Kathleen Smith (Michael Smith), Cara Hoffman (Scott Hoffman) and Melissa Koss (Pete Koss). He had seven grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Colleen, Caden, Dylan, Julianna, Jack Ryan and Emma. His burial will be private for family only with a memorial to follow at a later date.
Born in San Bernardino, Jack H. Brown is a 1956 San Bernardino High School graduate. He was a business administration major at San Bernardino Valley College from 1956–57 and 1958–59. He continued his studies at San Jose State University and UCLA and served in the United States Navy.
In 1991, he was inducted to the San Bernardino Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame and was the first SBVC alumnus to receive the California Community Colleges Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993.
Serving 22 cities in the heart of Inland Southern California, San Bernardino Community College District educates 25,000 students each year through its two fully-accredited campuses: Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. The district has an annual economic impact of $621 million and oversees the Economic Development & Corporate Training division and KVCR, the region’s National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting System (PBS) television station. Watch video.
