Charley Jones, majority owner of Boise, Idaho-based Stinker Stores since 2012 and the company’s former CEO, passed away on Wednesday, president and CEO Nate Brazier said in a LinkedIn announcement.

Jones acquired Stinker — which was founded in 1936 — with a business partner in 2002. In 2012, Jones bought out his partner, and he and his wife, Nancy, became sole owners of the regional convenience store chain.

Around this time, Jones was named Idaho Business Leader of the Year by Idaho State University. The honor recognizes an Idaho business leader who has demonstrated outstanding business and professional ethics and supported community, civic and education activities.

When Jones became majority owner of Stinker in 2012, the company had roughly 65 locations in its network, according to the Idaho Business Review. Today, Stinker has more than 100 locations in Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming.

Jones was president and CEO of Stinker until 2021, when he appointed Brazier as president and COO. Earlier this year, Brazier became CEO, and Jones stepped down from his leadership role while still maintaining ownership, Brazier said in a statement to C-Store Dive. Jones had been transitioning into retirement for the past three years.

Prior to acquiring Stinker, Jones worked in finance, accounting and leadership roles at several different types of companies, according to Stinker’s website. He and Nancy had two sons together, Nikolaus and Duncan.

In his LinkedIn announcement, Brazier said Jones’ “unwavering dedication and commitment to his Stinker family will leave its mark on all of us and future Stinker generations to come.” 

“His unrivaled business savvy combined with his generous and giving heart made him the Hero of Stinker’s last 20+ years, and a truly amazing visionary to work with,” Brazier said. “While he may be gone, he has not left us and I know he will be looking down, cheering us on and will remind us to ‘Carry On!’”