Love’s Travel Stops Co-founder Judy Love passes at 87

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – On Tuesday, Love's Travel Stops announced Judy Love, a beloved philanthropist and co-founder of Love's Travel Stops, has passed away.

Judy and her late husband, Tom Love, were instrumental in building their family-owned business, Love's Travel Stops, which they founded in 1964 with a $5,000 loan.

According to Love's, Judy's financial acumen and dedication allowed her to assist with the company's growth serving in multiple roles in the company's expansion into 42 states.

Judy's legacy of philanthropy is set to move forward through her children, Greg, Laura, Jenny, and Frank, as well as her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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

Forever etched in Oklahoma minds with widespread admiration Judy Love was born 1937 in Chicago to Ed and Ruth McCarthy. Her family relocated to Oklahoma City in 1942. Judy graduated from Bishop McGuiness High School and Central Catholic High School.

While attending Oklahoma State University in 1956, she met Tom Love and they married on December 26, 1960. Together, they leased an abandoned service station in Watonga in 1964, which grew to 40 stores in eight years. From these beginnings, the Love's Family of Companies was started. In 1975 Judy, took a step back from work at Love's to pursue interior design. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Oklahoma in 1981, followed by a master's and later established her design firm.

Close friend and former broadcaster, author, and public official Jane Jayroe-Gamble says.

"Judy Love was an extraordinary woman with a huge heart for others and an inexhaustible joy of life," said Jayroe-Gamble. "Her passion for family, friends, community, and the Catholic Church inspired many. Judy and Tom were a partnership made in Heaven, and their successful business reflects their hard work, dedication, and generosity. As we mourn her loss, let's celebrate her remarkable life, positive spirit, gifts of encouragement, and significant impact on our world."

Former Oklahoma First Lady Cathy Keating co-chaired the fundraising campaign with Judy to build the recently opened Love Family Women's Center at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. Keating recalled Judy's community impact saying, "Judy was devoted to her Catholic faith and the charitable organizations affiliated with it," said former Oklahoma First Lady Cathy Keating. "She lived her life with courage, determination, and humility. She and her husband, Tom, were a united front in raising their remarkable family and growing their successful business. Judy's compassion for others knew no limits, and the impact of her kindness and generosity is immeasurable. I will miss her terribly."

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Judy served on many non-profit boards in Oklahoma City and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2010 among many other honors throughout the State of Oklahoma including the Notre Dame Club naming her the Woman of the Year for Oklahoma.

Judy Love, was 87 years old.