Photo gallery: A celebration of Tom Love

Co-founder of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores died Tuesday at 85 years old

Tom Love, co-founder of Love's Travel Stops, has died at the age of 85. (Photo: Love's Family of Companies)

Tom Love died in his hometown of Oklahoma City on Tuesday at age 85. He was known for establishing with his wife Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, which grew to more than 600 travel plazas. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, with another two on the way.

The couple started the business, originally named Musket Corp., in 1964 in a small town outside of Oklahoma City.

Here is a collection of photos of the Love family and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores:

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom Love was the executive chairman of the company.


Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom Love bestows the Service Award.

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom Love and his wife Judy were married for 62 years.

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

The couple started the company with $5,000 to lease an abandoned service station in Watonga, a small rural town northwest of Oklahoma City.

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom Love cuts an opening ceremony ribbon.

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Tom and Judy Love had four children, Frank, Greg, Jenny and Laura.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now