Judy Love, beloved co-founder of Love’s Travel Stops, dies at 87

OKLAHOMA CITY (Gray News) - Judy Love, co-founder of Love's Travel Stops , died on Tuesday.

The company announced Love's death this week as she died at the age of 87.

Judy Love co-founded the convenience store chain with her late husband Tom Love in 1964

The family-owned business said Judy Love was instrumental in building Love's Travel Stops, expanding the store locations to more than 650 in 42 states.

Company representatives said her legacy of philanthropy will live on through her children, Greg, Laura, Jenny and Frank along with her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

"Our mother, Judy Love, was the heart and soul of our family," the Love family shared. "She cared deeply for us and those who worked alongside her and dad. Her tenacity, strength and focus will guide us forever."

While attending Oklahoma State University in 1956, she met Tom Love, and they married in 1960. Together, they leased an abandoned service station in Watonga in 1964, which grew to 40 stores in eight years.

From those beginnings, the Love family of companies was started.

"She taught us the importance of hard work, honesty, and the joy of giving back. While we will miss her dearly, her spirit will live on through the countless lives she touched," the Love family said.

Close friend Jane Jayroe-Gamble said she would remember Judy Love for her love and loyalty to many friends and her family.

"Judy Love was an extraordinary woman with a huge heart for others and an inexhaustible joy of life," Jayroe-Gamble said. "Her passion for family, friends, community, and the Catholic Church inspired many."

Judy Love also co-chaired the capital campaign for Positive Tomorrows, Oklahoma's only school for children experiencing homelessness.

The company did not immediately share how Judy Love died.