Joined RVA757 Connects: 2021

Jim Ukrop, who died in September 2026, is a respected entrepreneur, business leader and sought-after, valued civic and cultural advisor. He is a visionary who inspires and mentors young professionals, seasoned business executives as well as those in elected positions in local and regional governments.

Over the years, he has spearheaded and championed vibrant business, arts and public school initiatives.

As a co-founder of venture capital firm NRV, he shares his creative, out-of-the-box energy with Richmond’s entrepreneurial, up and coming leaders.

Ukrop’s career included serving as CEO and chairman of Ukrop’s Super Markets Inc., the former family-owned grocery chain that once held the No. 1 market share in the Richmond region. He also served as chairman of First Market Bank. He is a role model for inspired community service leading by example with his extensive, dedicated board and volunteer activities throughout the region.

Here’s the news obituary from the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Jim Ukrop, longtime leader of Richmond grocery chain, dies at 89

By Colleen Curran , Sean Jones

September 26, 2026

James E. "Jim" Ukrop, the longtime leader of Ukrop's Super Markets whose family grocery chain became one of Richmond's most beloved institutions before expanding his influence through banking, venture capital and philanthropy, died Friday night. He was 89.

Jim Ukrop was the eldest son of grocery store founders Joseph and Jacquelin Ukrop. He is survived by his wife of more than six decades, Barbara "Bobbie" Ukrop; his brother Robert "Bobby" Ukrop; his sons, Scott Ukrop and Joseph Edward "Ted" Ukrop; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

For generations of Richmonders, Ukrop was synonymous with more than a grocery store.

The family business, founded in 1937 with a single store on Hull Street, grew into the Richmond region's dominant supermarket chain under Jim Ukrop's leadership. The stores became known nationally for exceptional customer service, prepared foods, bakery items and a distinctly local philosophy that included closing on Sundays, refusing to sell beer and wine, and carrying groceries to customers' cars.

For many years, Ukrop's held the No. 1 grocery market share in metropolitan Richmond. At its peak, the company employed roughly 6,000 people.

"All we were ever trying to do was take care of our customers," Jim's brother Bobby Ukrop once said of the family's approach. "It didn't start with me. It started with my dad being innovative many years ago."

Jim Ukrop joined the family business in 1960 after earning a bachelor's degree in business administration from William & Mary. Three years later, he persuaded his father to open a second store, planting the seeds for the company's expansion throughout central Virginia.

He became president and chief executive officer in 1974, succeeding his father. During the following decades, Ukrop's expanded rapidly, purchased Dot's Pastry Shop, built its signature bakery operation, and in 1986 surpassed Safeway to become Richmond's market-share leader. In 1998, he became chairman while Bobby Ukrop assumed day-to-day leadership as president and CEO.

The Ukrop's family and their business followed the Golden Rule: “Treating others as they personally would like to be treated.”

The family sold 25 Ukrop's supermarkets in 2010 to Martin's Food Markets, ending nearly 75 years in the retail grocery business.

"It has been a privilege all these years to have the opportunity to serve our customers and be a part of the community," Jim Ukrop said at the time.

The decision shocked many Richmond residents who had long viewed the stores as a hometown institution.

"Leaving the grocery retail business was a difficult decision for our family," Bobby Ukrop said at the time. "We concluded that now is the right time."

Although the supermarkets disappeared, many of their signature foods lived on through Ukrop's Homestyle Foods, which continues producing prepared meals and baked goods sold throughout the region and beyond.

Jim Ukrop's influence, however, reached well beyond grocery stores.

He helped launch First Market Bank in 1997, serving as chairman as the community bank expanded before eventually merging with Union Bankshares. After the supermarket sale, he founded New Richmond Ventures, an investment network that backed startup companies across Virginia, reflecting his belief that Richmond's next generation of entrepreneurs deserved local support.

Throughout his career, Ukrop also served on the boards of Owens & Minor, Legg Mason, Richfood Holdings and numerous civic organizations, including the Greater Richmond Chamber.

"My calendar is full every day. I like to connect the dots for people and organizations," Jim Ukrop told The Times-Dispatch in 2010.

“Our family will really miss my dad. Scott and I were extremely blessed to have him as a father. He was an amazing example, not only for us, but many others,” said Jim Ukrop’s son Ted. “Of course, Scott and I know he wasn’t perfect. He always got the last ear of corn and had a lead foot racing down the downtown expressway and Powhite Parkway.”

A servant, a leader and a mentor

Bob Mooney worked with Jim Ukrop for about 40 years, including on the William & Mary business school board, the development of Richmond CenterStage and through the Richmond business community.

After the Ukrop family sold its supermarket chain in 2010, Mooney and Ukrop, along with Ted Chandler, founded New Richmond Ventures to provide seed funding and mentorship to Richmond-area entrepreneurs.

Mooney said the venture formalized something Ukrop had been doing for years: helping young entrepreneurs develop their businesses.

“He was the model of a servant leader,” Mooney said. “He always thought about, ‘How can I be helpful? How can we be helpful and mentor people without controlling them?’”

Mooney recalled that when entrepreneurs came to Ukrop with a résumé, Ukrop would often respond: “A résumé tells me what you’ve done, but not who you are. So tell me your story.”

That approach, Mooney said, reflected how Ukrop operated throughout his business and civic life.

“He never ever put himself in a controlling position,” Mooney said. “It was always, ‘How can I help? How can we collaborate together to make Richmond a better place?’”

For Mooney, that spirit was central to Ukrop’s legacy.

“I don’t know anybody who has more fingerprints all over the city of Richmond in a positive way of making a difference in people’s lives than Jim Ukrop,” he said.

A life of philanthropy

Many community leaders viewed philanthropy as his defining legacy.

Under the Ukrop family's longstanding practice of donating 10% of pretax profits to the community, the grocery company contributed tens of millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations, schools, arts groups, sports programs and charitable causes. From 1990 through 2007 alone, the company reported contributing more than $30 million through annual campaigns, sponsorships, capital gifts and donations. Its Golden Gift program distributed more than $12 million based on customer recommendations, while the Ukrop Foundation gave millions more to community organizations.

Jim Ukrop played key leadership roles with Richmond CenterStage, the Greater Richmond Chamber, Richmond Public Schools teacher recruitment efforts and numerous civic initiatives. The Ukrop family also became closely associated with Richmond traditions including the Monument Avenue 10K, the Richmond Christmas Parade and the Folk Festival.

William J. Martin, former director of the Valentine Richmond History Center who died last year, once said the company "set the standards for the business climate in Richmond in many ways. It set the standards for corporate philanthropy. It set the standards for customer service. It set the standards for employee development."

James W. Dunn of Bon Secours Richmond Health System also observed, "It's hard to find any significant level of community investment where you don't find their footprint."

Friends and business leaders said Ukrop measured success not only in sales but in the health of the community his family had served for decades. Even after the grocery stores were sold, his work continued through entrepreneurship, banking and civic leadership, extending the family's influence into many aspects of Richmond life.

Leaders remember Jim Ukrop’s impact on Richmond

Colleen Curran

September 28, 2026

Elected and business leaders paid tribute to Jim Ukrop over the weekend, remembering his lasting influence on Richmond and Virginia.

Mayor Danny Avula

"This weekend, Richmond lost an incredible leader, laborer and friend. Jim Ukrop’s influence on the greater Richmond community has been profound. At a time when many business leaders found it easier to disengage from the city and its issues, Jim believed deeply in the importance of Richmond, and poured his time, energy, and resources into charting its course for the future.

I spent more than a decade on the Communities In Schools Board with Jim. I got to see firsthand his passion for supporting our school system and investing in our teachers, students, and families. In fact, Jim was one of the very first people to suggest to me that I should consider running for mayor one day—almost 12 years ago! While the idea seemed completely preposterous to me at the time, in this, and so many other things, Jim could often see what others could not.

Richmond is a better city for it. Jim poured himself into countless efforts, always helping open doors for others, and has had a tremendous hand in helping create the growing, vibrant Richmond of today.

We celebrate a life well lived, and trust that Jim’s legacy of engagement, generosity, and compassion will inspire the next generation of community leaders in our city."

Gov. Abigail Spanberger

"Jim Ukrop leaves behind a large legacy of civic leadership and business acumen, and I know he will be profoundly missed by many in Richmond and across Virginia. He was a steadfast believer in investing in community and public education, and worked for many years on revitalizing Richmond. I join so many Virginians in sending thoughts to his family, friends, and the extensive community he leaves behind."

Tom Frantz, chairman emeritus of Williams Mullen, cochair of RVA757 Connects

"Jim has a huge impact on so many things. I’ve seen first-hand at William & Mary, the impact he had there. He was the one who started RVA757 Connects, which is an effort of the two regions to become stronger together.

He did that, probably, 20 years ago by suggesting the two regions could accomplish an awful lot by working together. They have more votes in the legislature, together, they have the assets to create the next global internet hub. Neither one had sufficient assets to do that alone. It was his brainchild originally.

We worked together to get the Port of Richmond under the control of the Port of Virginia. It opened up commercial development in central Virginia.

He was one of those people who had a tremendous mind and he used it to enhance where he lived and that includes not just Richmond but the whole commonwealth.

On a smaller scale, when our daughter was graduating from getting her master's degree at William & Mary, he took her around Richmond and got her a job at Albert Hill Middle School, teaching there. She’s still teaching at Cape Henry today. He was just like that, when he saw an opportunity to help somebody, he jumped on it."

Sen. Tim Kaine

"Jim Ukrop played an irreplaceable role in Richmond’s renaissance and also served as one of my first and most consistent supporters as I entered public life. I visited him recently to tell him how much he meant to me and will miss him deeply."

Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi

"I am saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Ukrop. An iconic figure, a true business and civic leader, Jim has long been one of the most compelling visionaries in Richmond and Virginia. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, innumerable friends, and all his colleagues."

Katherine A. Rowe, William & Mary president

“Jim Ukrop was a lifelong innovator: pragmatic, savvy, and farsighted, and joyfully committed to the prosperity of his communities. His alma mater was the grateful beneficiary of his loyal leadership. We send our deepest sympathy to Bobbie, their children, grandchildren, and extended family. We will miss Jim’s friendship and his spirited presence at Tribe Athletics events. With great affection, we will continue to steward his legacy of excellence at William & Mary.”

Richmond SPCA

"We are deeply grateful for the life and legacy of a remarkable leader whose commitment to investing in and strengthening our community was enduring and generous.

For years, Jim and Ukrop’s Super Markets made sure we had all the litter and pet food we needed to care for thousands of homeless animals. That support was extraordinary and made a huge lifesaving difference, for which we will always be grateful."

 Virginia Union University

"Virginia Union University mourns the passing of James E. 'Jim' Ukrop, longtime Richmond business and civic leader, former VUU Board of Trustees member, and valued friend and supporter of the University.

Over 34 years, Mr. Ukrop and his company contributed more than $1.3 million to VUU, supporting initiatives including the Ukrop Marketing Faculty Chair and the Ukrop Leaders Scholarship. In 2025, VUU honored him with the HBCU Impact Award at the Legacy Awards Gala in recognition of his longstanding commitment to HBCUs, education, and opportunity."