Robert A. Funk Sr., co-founder and executive chairman of Express Tustmy International, died on Tuesday at Express Ranches, his longtime home in Yukon. He was 85.
The passing of funk was less than three months after the death of the co-founder of the company William H. Stoller. Together, the couple bought a bankrupt employment agency, ACME and built it into the expressed employment specialist franchisee, the company’s leading brand and the fourth largest staff in the United States.
The employee, established in 1983, is also the 13th largest size, according to staff analysts and operates in the US, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Funk’s son, Bob Funk Jr., was appointed CEO and chairman of the company in May.
“My father was an entrepreneur who loved the American West and lived true to his values of honesty, respect, roughness, independence, loyalty and hard work,” says Funk Jr. in Oklahoman’s statement. “He played a major role in shaping the vision and growth of explicit employment specialists. For more than four decades, he has remained committed to making people work and offer hope through work.”
Bob funk cf.
Funk’s contribution to the staff industry was widely recognized, including its introduction into the Hall of Fame by the American Staff Association in 2023, the Hall of Fame of staff 100 from the 2017 Industry Review and the International Fame of Franchise in 2010.
Funk was chairman of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank from 2006 to 2007. In 2007, he also played the role of chairman of the conference of chairmen of the Federal Reserve system.
More: William Stoller, co -founder of Oklahoma -based Express International Employment, died at 74
Funk also serves as the chairman of the House of the Big Oklahoma City, and his philanthropy includes millions in scholarships and contribution to the National Museum of Cowboy and Western Heritage, the Oklahoma Youth Exhibition and Charity Oklahoma.
Beyond its entrepreneurial endeavors, Funk was a successful cattle -known cattle -known cattle for its Angus livestock operations. Created with his friend Jarold Kalahan, who died late last year, Express Ranches became the world’s largest producer of a registered Angus Cattle. His love for land, respect for animals and his commitment to his colleagues were part of his multifaceted character.
Funk’s heritage to maintain Western culture also included the launch and maintenance of a flock of Klydesdale’s horses, which has become a top tourist equality for his ranches in Yukon. Funk, who was rarely seen without the cowboy hat of the trademark, was introduced into the Hall of Fame of Oklahoma in 2017 and in the Hall of the Great Westerners in 2023 by the National Museum of Cowboy and Western Heritage.
Funk was credited to re-power at the Oklahoma Youth Exhibition, making it the largest annual exhibition for junior animals in the country, with over 7,000 Oklahoma participants. Tyler Norvel, CEO of the Oklahoma Youth Exhibition, said Funk’s dedication to the annual show was “deep and transformative”.
“His passion to empower young Oklahomani from every county in our country was incomparable and changing life,” Norvel says. “Through their hard work, care and engagement, these young individuals show their livestock every year-show about their stability and determination and reflection of Bob’s faith in their potential. Witnesses of over 7500 4-H and FFA members gather every spring, filled with bean with great happiness.”
Larry Nichols, co -founder and former executive chairman of Devon Energy, praised Funk’s heritage in support of Oklahoma education.
“He was not only a prominent Oklahoma City businessman, but also a visionary who transformed the city through his tireless work and unwavering dedication,” Nichols said. “His intercession for Carertech and a contribution to the state’s education system will always be remembered and delighted.”
Oklahoma Mayor City David Holt noted that Funk’s heritage not only included jobs and credibility to Oklahoma City, but also included the construction of a foundation in the sport for the city.
“As our city celebrates the NBA and Olympics in 2028, it is important to know that people like Bob keep these fires burn for a long time,” Holt said. “At one point, two decades ago, Bob owned both of our two two sports in the Little League, which at that time we had in the baseball and hockey. And at that time he was the main promoter behind almost every special sporting event that came to town. Bob was one of the important leaders along the way, who believed that our city could be.”
This article originally appeared in Oklahoman: Bob Funk, co -founder of Express HERECTION and OKC Philanthropist, dies