Parkland Corp. founder Jack Cameron Donald died on Jan. 18 at 89 years old.
He and his wife of 68 years Joan got their start in the convenience and fueling industry when they moved to Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, in 1964 to start their own branded service station and bulk oil sales operation, called Parkland Oil Products Ltd., according to a Red Deer Advocate obituary.
“He was an iconic entrepreneur whose accomplishments are legendary on so many levels,” Bob Espey, president and CEO of Parkland, said. “Incredibly generous and philanthropic as he and Joan positively impacted so many people across many communities. Jack built Parkland from one retail site in Red Deer and was a visionary among Canadian independents.”
Donald built Parkland Oil Products into a 38-station chain before selling it to Turbo Resources in 1971. He joined Turbo as director and vice president of marketing until he and his wife bought control of publicly traded company Parkland Beef Industries Inc., which became Parkland Industries Ltd.,” the Red Deer Advocate reported. Parkland Industries became a fuel distribution company with Fas Gas retail service stations and eventually evolved into what is today, known as Parkland Corp.
Donald retired as Parkland president and CEO in 2002. By then, Parkland had its own refinery and 454 retail service stations in Western and Northern Canada.
Today, Parkland, Calgary, Alberta, is the parent company of Parkland USA, which has more than 210 c-stores under various brands, including its On the Run brand.
- Parkland USA is No. 37 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by company-owned store count.
Donald was also known for his community service. A statement from Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston read, in part, according to the Red Deer Advocate: “Jack was a remarkable leader, contributing over 50 years to the growth and development of Red Deer and Central Alberta as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and community builder.”
He is survived by his wife, Joan, his daughter Katherine Lacey, son John Donald, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
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