James “Jim” Ukrop, former CEO of Ukrop’s Supermarkets and a towering figure in Richmond’s civic and entrepreneurial renaissance, died on September 25, 2026, at age 89. State leaders, community figures, and his alma mater, the College of William & Mary, paid tribute to his decades of visionary leadership, philanthropy, and deep commitment to his hometown. James E. “Jim” Ukrop ’60, L.H.D. ’99, P ’85, G ’25 died on Sept. 25, 2026, in Richmond.
James “Jim” Ukrop ’60, L.H.D. ’99, P ’85, G ’25
From a Single South Richmond Grocery Store to a Regional Empire
The family business had humble roots. Ukrop’s Super Markets started with a single tiny store in South Richmond, a Great Depression-era business venture made possible by mortgaging the family farm for $1,000. Jim was the eldest son of Joseph and Jacquelin Ukrop, who founded the grocery chain. The grocery chain started in 1937 when Jim and Bobby’s parents Joe and Jacquelin opened their first store, a small 16-by-32-foot market on Hull Street. For the next 25 years, the 500-square-foot market grew to over 10,000 square feet. Jim Ukrop joined the family business in 1960 as a fresh college graduate, and he convinced his father to open a second store. At the university, he was a business management major and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. It was at the university that he met and fell in love with Barbara “Bobbie” Berkeley, and they married soon after her graduation.
Working alongside his brother Bobby, the Ukrop’s supermarket chain grew to have the largest market share in the region for roughly two decades. Almost 15 years later, in 1974, Jim became the CEO. At its peak, Ukrop’s operated 29 locations, employed roughly 6,000 people, and held a reported value of more than half a billion dollars. The chain was as renowned for its customer service and philanthropy as it was for its standard-setting retail concepts. Scott Ukrop said his father’s north star was shaped by a sense of competition and a belief in taking care of the customer: Really trying to treat people to see how you’d like to be treated.
Scott added that his father was a “true visionary” who paid attention to ideas and businesses in other cities and looked for ways to bring those lessons back to Richmond.
Richmond Renaissance and Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Civic Leadership and Rebuilding Downtown Richmond
Among other efforts, Ukrop helped form the downtown booster group Richmond Renaissance, create the Richmond Folk Festival and served as a founding director of the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance, which raised funds to create what is now the Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts. He was one of Richmond’s most consequential business and civic leaders in our lifetime,
according to former Venture Richmond leader Jack Berry, who asked Ukrop to co-chair his 2016 campaign for mayor. He didn’t just write checks. He showed up,
Berry said. He was personally involved in community initiatives all over town. And he did it with kindness, humility and love for [Richmond].
Mayor Danny Avula and Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi
Tributes From City and State Officials
News of his passing brought an immediate wave of condolences from across Virginia.
This weekend, Richmond lost an incredible leader, laborer, and friend. Jim Ukrop's influence on the greater Richmond community has been profound, Avula said
In a multi-part statement posted to social media, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula described Ukrop as a visionary who remained deeply committed to Richmond at a time when many business leaders stepped back from the city. 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,
Avula said. Avula said Ukrop’s impact extended far beyond the grocery business. 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,
Mayor Danny Avula said.
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, Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi said
Barbara “Bobbie” Berkeley Ukrop ’61, L.H.D. ’23, P ’85, G ’25
A Lifelong Legacy at William & Mary
James “Jim” Ukrop, whose visionary leadership in business, philanthropy and civic development helped transform Richmond, Virginia, and elevated generations of students at William & Mary, died on Sept. 25, 2026, in Richmond. He was 89 years old. Ukrop embodied the university’s values of service, integrity and excellence throughout his distinguished life and career.
He is survived by his wife of more than six decades, Barbara “Bobbie” Berkeley Ukrop ’61, L.H.D. ’23, P ’85, G ’25; his brother, Robert “Bobby” Ukrop; his sons, Scott Ukrop ’85 and his wife, Lilo; Joseph Edward “Ted” Ukrop P ’25 and his wife, Katie; his five grandchildren, including Emma Ukrop M.Ed. ’25; and his three great-grandchildren.
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