“Biggest stinker” Charley Jones dies at the age of 72
After battling cancer, Stinker Stores owner and former CEO Charley Jones has died. He was 72 years old.
The Idaho-wide chain of stores announced Jones’ death on the morning of August 21.
Jones graduated from Borah High School in Boise and then attended and graduated from the University of Idaho. He joined the U.S. Army Reserve Finance Corps and rose to the rank of captain. After completing his accounting degree, he began working in the field, according to a press release.
He has also held leadership positions in construction, high-tech manufacturing and wholesale distribution in the Treasure Valley, including most recently, prior to the purchase of Stinker Stores, as president of Stein Distributing, which distributes Anheuser-Busch products throughout the state.
“Charley was absolutely one of a kind,” said Nate Brazier, Stinker’s current president and CEO. “His unmatched business acumen combined with his generous and giving heart made him the hero of Stinker’s last 20+ years and an absolutely amazing visionary to work under.”
In 2002, Jones and his then-partner Shawn Davis purchased Stinker Stores, which was founded in 1936 and now has 106 stores in Idaho. Jones and his wife Nancy became sole owners of the chain in 2012. The couple remained active in the communities the store serves, addressing issues such as food insecurity and domestic violence.
Jones has also been involved with various nonprofit organizations and has served on boards and organizations such as the University of Idaho Foundation, the American Red Cross, Sunrise Rotary, and many others.
For his work and dedication, he was awarded the 2021 Joyce Stein Memorial Award from the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, the 2014 CEO of Influence award from the Idaho Business Review, the 2011 Business Leader of the Year award from Alpha Kappa Psi, Idaho State University, the 2011 Silver and Gold Award from the University of Idaho, and the 2003 Philanthropist of the Year award from the American Red Cross.
“He is and remains the biggest stinker of all,” said Brazier.
