Tag Archives: in memoriam

James (Jim) Edward Weyrens Sr., former president and CEO of Our Own Hardware, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 9, 2026. Jim’s career began with Montgomery Ward and then Target as the sporting goods buyer. He later joined wholesaler …

Former North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) employee Thomas Lee Delph passed away on January 14, 2026 at the age of 92. Tom began working with NHPA, known at the time as the National Retail Hardware Association (NRHA), after …

Former board president of the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) Thomas (Tom) Green, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, just two days after celebrating his 86th birthday. In 1972, Tom purchased Mayer Hardware in Rochester, New York, …

James D. Tipton, former president and CEO of Handy Hardware, passed away on March 26, 2025 at the age of 100. Jim served as president and CEO of Handy Hardware for over 21 years, retiring in 2002. Jim was an …

Industry leader and former North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) president and CEO Bill Lee died Friday, September 29. Lee was a passionate supporter of the independent home improvement retail industry, serving the association for over 20 years before …

The home improvement industry is mourning the loss of Rich Lender, who died in a car accident on Oct. 25. He was a newly elected member of the Do it Best Board of Directors, and president and CEO of Your …

Home improvement innovator Richard Grandy died in Texas on March 21, 2022. He was 76 years old. Richard was born February 13, 1946, in Croswell, Michigan, where he was also raised. He graduated from Cros-Lex High School and then Michigan …

Jim Jenkins, founder of the Bannister and Jenkins Hardware Co., died on July 27, 2021 at age 96. He was an icon in the home improvement industry and one of the earliest Home Hardware retailers in Canada. Jenkins was a …