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

Judy Love, the Oklahoma City philanthropist and co-founder of Love's Travel Stops, died Tuesday. She was 87.

The company released the following statement on social media:

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Judy Love, co-founder of Love's Travel Stops, has passed away at the age of 87. Along with her beloved husband, the late Tom Love, Judy founded the family business in 1964. Since then, the network has grown to more than 650 locations across the country. In addition to her role in the company, where she handled bookkeeping in the early years and served as secretary and treasurer as the company opened stores in 42 states, she was admired for her warmth, generosity and community involvement.

Love founded Love's Travel Stops in 1964 with her husband Tom

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“Our mother, Judy Love, was the heart and soul of our family,” the Love Family said. “She cared deeply for us and those who worked with her and her father. Your 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 deeply, her spirit will live on in the countless lives she touched.”

Judy has served on many nonprofit boards in Oklahoma City and also co-chaired the capital campaign for Positive Tomorrows, Oklahoma's only school for children experiencing homelessness.

Judy was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2010. Her many awards included a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Distinguished Woman Award from Oklahoma City University. The Girl Scouts named her Woman of Distinction and the Notre Dame Club named her Woman of the Year for Oklahoma.

Judy's legacy will continue through her children Greg, Laura, Jenny and Frank, as well as her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.