A plane crash near Sun Valley, Idaho, Saturday claimed the lives of Flying J truckstop founder O. Jay Call, former vice president and current board member, Richard E. "Buzz" Germer, and Germer's wife, Ilene.
The three were on their way to Sun Valley Saturday when the plane Call was piloting disappeared off the radar screen. Weather conditions prohibited search and rescue efforts until early Sunday morning, at which time the wreckage was found just outside of Haily, Idaho, about five miles south of Sun Valley. There were no survivors.
Cause of the accident is unknown. The crash is currently under investigation.
Flying J, an Ogden, Utah-based corporation, was named after its founder and chairman of the board, who was also an avid pilot. Call's charismatic personality, inquisitive nature and fetish for cleanliness were the foundations for a company that has become a leader in the nation's highway hospitality industry and one of the largest retail diesel marketers in North America.
Richard E. "Buzz" Germer, who retired four months ago as vice president of supply and distribution for Flying J, was also president of Big West Oil.
Of the 10 million privately held companies in the U.S., Flying J had the distinction of being ranked number 45 among Forbes' 500 Largest Private Companies in America with 2002 annual sales exceeding $4.7 billion.
Flying J's President and CEO, J. Phillip Adams, said, "The unimaginable loss to all of us at Flying J is mostly the shared loss of three of our best friends. We extend our love and sincere concern for their families.
"Jay and Buzz have had a huge and lasting impact on Flying J, and Jay would want us to continue moving forward on the path of growth and commitment that we've been on. But what is most important right now is the support we can provide Jay’s wife and children."
Call is survived by his wife, Tami, daughter, Crystal Call Maggelet, and son, Thad Call. The Germers are survived by their three children, Kim, Kyle and Katie Germer.
The three were on their way to Sun Valley Saturday when the plane Call was piloting disappeared off the radar screen. Weather conditions prohibited search and rescue efforts until early Sunday morning, at which time the wreckage was found just outside of Haily, Idaho, about five miles south of Sun Valley. There were no survivors.
Cause of the accident is unknown. The crash is currently under investigation.
Flying J, an Ogden, Utah-based corporation, was named after its founder and chairman of the board, who was also an avid pilot. Call's charismatic personality, inquisitive nature and fetish for cleanliness were the foundations for a company that has become a leader in the nation's highway hospitality industry and one of the largest retail diesel marketers in North America.
Richard E. "Buzz" Germer, who retired four months ago as vice president of supply and distribution for Flying J, was also president of Big West Oil.
Of the 10 million privately held companies in the U.S., Flying J had the distinction of being ranked number 45 among Forbes' 500 Largest Private Companies in America with 2002 annual sales exceeding $4.7 billion.
Flying J's President and CEO, J. Phillip Adams, said, "The unimaginable loss to all of us at Flying J is mostly the shared loss of three of our best friends. We extend our love and sincere concern for their families.
"Jay and Buzz have had a huge and lasting impact on Flying J, and Jay would want us to continue moving forward on the path of growth and commitment that we've been on. But what is most important right now is the support we can provide Jay’s wife and children."
Call is survived by his wife, Tami, daughter, Crystal Call Maggelet, and son, Thad Call. The Germers are survived by their three children, Kim, Kyle and Katie Germer.
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