PHOENIX (AP) — Jon Flora, the president of Fry’s Food Storesin Arizona and a well-known figure
through area ads and in-storepromotions, has died, the company announced in a statement. He was
58.DaveDillon, Kroger Chairman and CEO, said Saturday that the company wasdeeply saddened by Flora’s sudden
death because he mentored manyemployees and was "extraordinary leader.""Jon leaves a legacy
ofenthusiasm and passion for doing what’s right for our customers, ourneighbors and our associates,"
Dillon said. "He touched the lives ofcountless people in our company as well as throughout our industry
andcommunity."Friends said Flora died Friday.The cause ofdeath was not mentioned in the company
statement. But Rep. JonathanLarkin, D-Glendale, said on Twitter that it was a heart attack thatclaimed
Flora’s life."As many of you know I work for Fry’s FoodStores," Larkin tweeted Friday. "It
saddens me to say that my CEO JonFlora passed away from a heart attack today."Flora joined Krogerin
1971 as a clerk and bottle boy at Dillon’s Stores. During his career,he held a number of leadership
positions with the company, includingvice president of merchandising.In 2007, Flora was named president of
Fry’s.Earlier this year, Flora was honored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix as a
"true champion for children in need."The Tolleson-based Fry’s employs 18,000 in Arizona.Fry’s is a
division of the Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger Co.Funeral arrangements are pending.Copyright 2013 The
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