The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
For years, Gene Walters was one of the most widely recognized faces in Hampton Roads. He was in TV commercials all the time, always urging customers to "tell a friend" about shopping at Farm Fresh grocery stores.
Walters, who headed Farm Fresh before starting his own grocery chain, died Wednesday after an illness. He was 86.
An Indiana native who lived in Virginia Beach, Walters started the Gene Walters' Marketplace chain after being let go as chief executive of Farm Fresh in 1987, when it had become the region's biggest grocery chain. He had surgery for colon cancer the same week he left the company.
In 1992, he decided to sell his controlling stake in the 14 Gene Walters' Marketplace stores to Farm Fresh and Richfood and rejoin Farm Fresh as a consultant.
Ron Dennis, the president and chief operating officer of Farm Fresh, said Wednesday that no one cared more about the grocery business than Walters.
"Gene is Farm Fresh, was and always will be Farm Fresh," Dennis said. "Gene is an icon in this business and somebody that virtually anybody and everybody you speak to in this industry respected and looked up to, without exception."
Walters worked for the Kroger food chain for 17 years before joining Farm Fresh in 1966 as a general manager. He was born in southern Indiana and worked as a brakeman in coal mines and sold vegetables from a roadside stand before joining Kroger. He moved to Hampton Roads to take the Farm Fresh job.
"The supermarket business has been awfully good to me," he said in a 1992 interview.
Reporters described Walters as chummy, frank and unpretentious.
"He really knew all aspects of the business because he was so intuitive," said Jeff Metzger, the publisher of Food World, a retail food trade publication in Maryland.
Walters' daughter Barbara Walters-Doehrman of Brooklyn, N.Y., said her father's health improved after he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2005, but he never fully recovered.
"He always found the good in people," she said. "He always wanted to see the positive side, whether it was the human situation or any other situation."
"If he could have gotten up this morning and they would let him go down to 193 and bag groceries, that's where he would have been," she said.
Store No. 193, on Great Neck Road, was one of Walters' favorite Farm Fresh stores and is near his house.
When he became ill in January, Walters put on a sport coat and tie to go to the hospital.
Minutes after he got there, he told his family, "I want to go home. I have had a wonderful life, a wonderful life, we have had wonderful years together," Walters-Doehrman said.
Walters' wife, Juanita, was his nurse to the end. He also is survived by another daughter, Linda Walters-Croker of Northern Virginia.
Among her final words to her father, Walters-Doehrman said, she told him, "Daddy, there's a supermarket in heaven.
"I promise."
Patrick Wilson, (757) 446-2957, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com
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Gene Walter's Passing
I was very sad to hear of Mr Walters death. I worked for him at GW MktPlc
from day 1 to the final day. I spoke to him weekly for years. I have never had or ever will have a boss that I respect that much. He always spoke and not just "hey" it always lead to a conversation and sometimes the conversation lead to lunch. He was very interested in every aspect of the Marketplace. When we opened Cypress Point I worked with him closely. The Marketplace was a fun place to work. Every Christmas we had store parties, paid for by him. Every summer we had store picnics, payed for by him. All managers were bonus rated. We all knew HOW to run a grocery store-- as he was not only a leader, but a teacher. The grocery store business has gone to hell in a handbasket with the choices we have today. I will never forget the lessons Mr Walters taught me-- as I continue to use them every day in life and at my current employment. If Mr Walters finds a store in heaven -- you can bet it will be REMARKABLE!
Gene Walters
Your comments are very much appreciated. I too worked for Gene Walters and he will always be an inspiration to all that knew him. Thank you for your nice comments. It was a great time to work for Mr. Walters in the 70's and 80's. He knew how to treat people with respect and reward them for a job well done!
Gene Walters Family
Mr Walters was genuinely interested in his customers,and made a lasting impression on every one he encountered. He will be missed his friends...his counity....and indeed, the city of Virginia Beach.
To his family I would say..
You must have built some beautiful memories of a beautiful man. No one can take those away from you. And in time they will be a comfort.
May God ease your sorrow....lift your spirit...and give you peace.
Gene Walters
What a kind man he was. Even as I ran into him on occasion lately, it was obvious that his health was failing, but he still had that wonderful twinkle in his eye and his signature warm hello that made everyone feel as though he was your loving father or grandfather. What a blessing he was to us all and what a wonderful, warm legacy he leaves his family. To the Walters family, thank you for sharing this wonderful man with the local community...and be strong.
Mr.Walters was an old friend of the family...
My father knew Gene Walters well and was considered a close friend of our family and he will certainly be missed. My wife has been with Farm Fresh for about 10 years and loves her job. The comments about Ron Dennis were not true and he has always treated his employees fairly.
I bet these comments seem odd
I bet these comments seem odd to someone relatively new to the area. Gene comes from a time where this area was much smaller and much more community oriented. He was not just a grocery store executive but a community leader and celebrity. Today we have learned cynicism of marketing persona but his was genuine. Everyone that met him found he really was that friendly down to earth guy from the commercials.
Memories
Our prayers go to Gene Walters,family and friends. I had met Mr. Walters when I used to work at the FF#189 next to Pembroke Mall during the early '80s. While employed at FF during this time period, my friend and co-worker,JB,and I would help Mr. Walters do grounds work around his house. Thanks again Mrs. Walters, for your hospitality and serving the nice meals between work while viewing the spectacular view of Broad Bay.
I will never forget those days.
A sweet memory
My mom told me of a story when I was a very little girl. Apparently, I was pitching a huge fit because she would not buy a pumpkin for me at Farm Fresh..low and behold Gene Walters came up and allowed me to pick out any one I wanted. She said I picked out the biggest one there and he carried it out to the car for her. I don't remember it myself, but I love this story when she tells it.
She is cruising around Hawaii at the moment, but I'm sure will be saddened as I am at his passing.
made for an easy commercial to watch
Very folksy and like me, an Indiana boy with midwest values. Goes to show you time waits for no one. I too remember the constant FF commercials with Gene and even ran into him at once at one. Wish time would take a break or at least slow down a bit. You know you're gettin' old when you're lookin' back more than lookin' forward.
Mr. Walters
We all grew up with you. You were a wonderful part of our lives.
God Bless you and your beautiful family. Say hello to my Mother for me she always shopped in your store. God Speed !!!