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Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: bijou on May 26, 2008, 04:07:20 PM

Title: Potato king J.R. Simplot, U.S. fry innovator, dies
Post by: bijou on May 26, 2008, 04:07:20 PM
Quote
BOISE, Idaho (Reuters) - J.R. Simplot, the billionaire founder of the Boise, Idaho-based agriculture business that bears his name and who helped make French fries a staple of the American diet and waistline, died on Sunday at the age of 99, officials said.

After pioneering the first commercial frozen French fry in the late 1940s, Simplot eventually became a major supplier of Idaho potatoes to McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's. His privately held company, where he was chairman emeritus, reported $3.3 billion in sales in 2006.

An official at the Ada County Coroner's office said Simplot died at home on Sunday morning of natural causes.

...
link (http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0417152520080526)
Title: Re: Potato king J.R. Simplot, U.S. fry innovator, dies
Post by: Chris_ on May 26, 2008, 05:06:28 PM
NOOOOOOO!!!!!  :bawl:

Rest in peace, Mr. Simplot.  You have made this world a better place.

*sniff*  :usflag:
Title: Re: Potato king J.R. Simplot, U.S. fry innovator, dies
Post by: Tess Anderson on May 26, 2008, 06:02:04 PM
That's right - thanks for the french fries, J.R., I'm a big fan of them.

When I was lurking at the dump a little while ago, there were all these snide remarks to this thread - someone commented that he must not have eaten much of what he invented, since he lived to be a ripe old age. Gracious, as always. :whatever:

R.I.P., Mr. Simplot.
Title: Re: Potato king J.R. Simplot, U.S. fry innovator, dies
Post by: DixieBelle on May 26, 2008, 07:41:07 PM
RIP Mr. Simplot. I cannot imagine life without your innovations!