Jim Ukrop, the Richmond businessman who helped transform his family’s grocery store into one of Virginia’s best-known regional supermarket chains, has died at age 89. James E. “Jim” Ukrop died on September 25, 2026, in Richmond, according to his family and William & Mary, his alma mater.
Ukrop was known for much more than the grocery stores that carried his family name. Over a career spanning decades, he became involved in banking, entrepreneurship, education, the arts, downtown development and community organizations throughout Richmond. His family business grew from a single South Richmond store into a regional chain, while his later work focused heavily on helping businesses and community projects develop.
Latest Update: September 27, 2026
As of September 27, 2026, Jim Ukrop’s death has been confirmed by his family, William & Mary and multiple Richmond-area news organizations. William & Mary reported that he died September 25 in Richmond at age 89.
VPM reported that Ukrop died Friday night and quoted his son Scott Ukrop discussing the family’s loss and his father’s approach to business and community service. The family said Ukrop’s guiding principles included treating customers well and strengthening the Richmond community.
At the time of publication, no public announcement had been made about memorial or funeral arrangements. VPM reported that memorial plans had not yet been announced.
Current reports do not provide a specific medical cause of death. One Richmond report said Ukrop’s health had been declining and that his death was not unexpected, but no specific cause has been publicly established.
Who Was Jim Ukrop?
Jim Ukrop was a longtime Richmond business leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was born into the family behind Ukrop’s Super Markets and joined the company after graduating from William & Mary in 1960.
Working alongside his brother, Robert “Bobby” Ukrop, Jim helped expand the family business from its original location on Hull Street into a regional supermarket chain. William & Mary says the company eventually grew to 28 stores operating across the region.
The Ukrop name became closely connected with Richmond because of the company’s emphasis on customer service and its unusual business practices. The family-owned stores were known for closing on Sundays and not selling alcohol, policies that reflected the values of the family business.
Ukrop’s also became known for products that developed a following among Richmond-area shoppers, including its rainbow cookies, chicken salad and White House rolls. Even after the supermarkets were sold, the Ukrop’s name remained connected to food products and Richmond’s local identity.
Jim Ukrop and Ukrop’s Super Markets
Ukrop’s family business began in 1937, when his parents, Joseph and Jacquelin Ukrop, opened a grocery store on Hull Street in Richmond. Jim joined the business after college and helped push the company toward further expansion.
According to William & Mary, Jim and Bobby expanded the operation from the original Hull Street location into a 28-store regional chain. Jim eventually became president in 1974 and remained in that position for about two decades before his brother Bobby took over the presidency.
The company remained family-owned for decades. In 2010, Ukrop’s sold its supermarket operation to the company behind Martin’s Food Stores. Reports at the time and later accounts put the sale at about $140 million for 25 supermarkets.
The sale did not end Jim Ukrop’s involvement in Richmond business. Instead, it marked the beginning of another stage of his career, one that focused more heavily on startups, investment and civic development.
Jim Ukrop’s Career After Ukrop’s
After the supermarket business was sold, Ukrop became involved in New Richmond Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage companies. William & Mary identifies him as a co-founder of the firm, while the university’s School of Business says he later served as a partner.
The firm gave Ukrop another way to support Richmond-area entrepreneurs. His work involved investing in and mentoring businesses while looking for opportunities that could contribute to the region’s economic development.
Ukrop also served as chairman of First Market Bank, a financial institution that grew from banking operations located inside Ukrop’s supermarkets. His career therefore extended from retail into financial services and venture investment.
Jim Ukrop’s Richmond Community Work
One of the most significant parts of Ukrop’s later life was his involvement in Richmond’s civic development. He participated in efforts involving education, downtown redevelopment, the arts and entrepreneurship.
He was involved with Richmond Renaissance, an organization focused on downtown revitalization, and played a role in efforts that supported the city’s cultural and performing-arts infrastructure. The Richmond Independent reported that he helped with the creation of the Richmond Folk Festival and was a founding director of the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance.
William & Mary also credits him with helping shape projects connected with the Dominion Energy Center and other Richmond initiatives. His interests extended to public education, where he supported efforts involving Richmond Public Schools and initiatives designed to recruit and retain talented teachers.
His community involvement was not limited to writing checks. People who worked with him described him as someone who regularly participated in the projects he supported and spent time with entrepreneurs, educators and community organizations.
Jim Ukrop and William & Mary
William & Mary was an important part of Ukrop’s personal and professional life. He graduated from the university in 1960 with a degree in business management and met his future wife, Barbara “Bobbie” Berkeley, while they were students there. The couple later married.
Ukrop remained deeply involved with the university for more than six decades. He served as secretary of the Board of Visitors, president of the Alumni Association Board and a member of the William & Mary Foundation Board and other university boards.
In 1981, he received the Alumni Medallion, the highest honor awarded by the university’s Alumni Association. William & Mary later awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1999.
His family’s philanthropy has supported scholarships, athletics, the arts, education and innovation. The university’s Jim & Bobbie Ukrop Studio for Innovation and Design was established with support from the couple and continues to provide space for students and executives to work on innovation and problem-solving.
William & Mary also renamed College Drive as Ukrop Way in 2006 in recognition of the family’s support and involvement with the university.
Jim Ukrop Wife and Family
Jim Ukrop was married to Barbara “Bobbie” Berkeley Ukrop for more than six decades. The couple met while attending William & Mary and built a family and philanthropic partnership that remained closely connected to the university.
According to William & Mary’s memorial tribute, Ukrop is survived by his wife, Bobbie; his brother, Robert “Bobby” Ukrop; his sons Scott Ukrop and his wife, Lilo, and Joseph Edward “Ted” Ukrop and his wife, Katie; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The family has not publicly released a detailed statement about the circumstances surrounding his death beyond confirming his passing and sharing memories of his life and work.
Jim Ukrop Age and Education
Jim Ukrop was 89 years old when he died. William & Mary confirms that he died September 25, 2026, in Richmond.
He attended John Marshall High School before enrolling at William & Mary. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in business management and remained closely connected with the university throughout his life.
Jim Ukrop Cause of Death
The specific cause of Jim Ukrop’s death has not been publicly disclosed in the sources reviewed as of September 27, 2026.
The Richmond Independent reported that his health had been declining and that his death was not unexpected. That report does not identify a particular illness or medical cause, so no more specific explanation should be presented as fact.
For that reason, readers should be cautious about social-media posts or other claims that provide a cause of death without confirmation from the family or an authoritative source.
Jim Ukrop’s Legacy in Richmond
Jim Ukrop’s legacy is closely tied to the development of Richmond’s business and civic institutions. The grocery stores that carried his family name became a major regional business, but his influence continued after the supermarkets were sold.
His later work brought together business investment, education and community development. Through New Richmond Ventures, he worked with entrepreneurs. Through William & Mary, he supported students, faculty, athletics and innovation. Through Richmond organizations, he participated in projects involving schools, downtown development and the arts.
His family also became known for a particular approach to community involvement. Rather than separating business from civic life, Jim Ukrop frequently connected the two, arguing that a stronger local community could also create a stronger environment for businesses.
Richmond officials and institutions have begun publicly remembering that contribution following his death. Mayor Danny Avula described Ukrop as a leader who invested substantial time and resources in the city, while William & Mary called him a lifelong innovator and dedicated university advocate.
Quick Facts About Jim Ukrop
| Full Name | James E. “Jim” Ukrop |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 89 |
| Date of Death | September 25, 2026 |
| Place of Death | Richmond, Virginia |
| Known For | Ukrop’s Super Markets, First Market Bank, New Richmond Ventures and Richmond civic development |
| Education | William & Mary, Class of 1960 |
| Wife | Barbara “Bobbie” Berkeley Ukrop |
| Children | Scott Ukrop and Joseph Edward “Ted” Ukrop |
| Grandchildren | Five |
| Great-Grandchildren | Three |
| Cause of Death | Not publicly disclosed |
| Memorial Plans | Not announced as of September 27, 2026 |
Reader Questions
Who was Jim Ukrop?
Jim Ukrop was a Richmond businessman who helped expand his family’s Ukrop’s grocery business into a regional supermarket chain. He later became involved in venture investing, education, arts and civic development.
When did Jim Ukrop die?
Jim Ukrop died on September 25, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. He was 89 years old.
What was Jim Ukrop known for?
He was best known for his leadership of Ukrop’s Super Markets and his extensive involvement in Richmond’s civic and business communities. He also co-founded New Richmond Ventures and held leadership roles at First Market Bank and William & Mary.
Who was Jim Ukrop’s wife?
Jim Ukrop was married to Barbara “Bobbie” Berkeley Ukrop for more than six decades. They met while attending William & Mary.
Did Jim Ukrop have children?
Yes. William & Mary identified his sons as Scott Ukrop and Joseph Edward “Ted” Ukrop. The university also reported that he is survived by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
What was Jim Ukrop’s cause of death?
A specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed as of September 27, 2026. Reports only say that his health had been declining and that his death was not unexpected.
What happened to Ukrop’s Super Markets?
Ukrop’s sold its supermarket operation in 2010 to the company behind Martin’s Food Stores. The sale involved 25 supermarkets and was reported at approximately $140 million.
Where did Jim Ukrop go to college?
Jim Ukrop attended William & Mary and graduated in 1960 with a degree in business management. He remained closely involved with the university for more than six decades.
Have Jim Ukrop’s funeral arrangements been announced?
No memorial plans had been announced as of September 27, 2026. Further details may be released by the Ukrop family at a later date.
Wrap-Up
Jim Ukrop’s death marks the end of a long career that connected business leadership with community involvement. He helped build Ukrop’s from a family grocery operation into a regional chain and then devoted much of his later career to entrepreneurship, education, philanthropy and Richmond’s development.
His connection to William & Mary was equally significant. From his student years to decades of board service and philanthropy, the university remained one of the central institutions in his life. His family’s support helped fund scholarships, athletics, education and innovation programs that continue beyond his lifetime.
As Richmond remembers Jim Ukrop, more details about memorial arrangements may follow from his family. For now, confirmed reports establish that the longtime businessman died September 25 at age 89, leaving behind his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a broad record of work across the Richmond community.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available reports and institutional statements available as of September 27, 2026. The specific cause of Jim Ukrop’s death had not been publicly disclosed in the sources reviewed, and memorial arrangements had not yet been announced. Any later statement from the family or other authoritative sources may update the information presented here.
