J.B. Hunt Founder Johnnie Bryan Hunt Sr. Dies

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Johnnie Bryan Hunt Sr.; "J.B. Hunt"J.B. Hunt Transport Services said that the truckload company’s founder, Johnnie Bryan Hunt Sr., died Thursday at the age of 79.

Hunt had slipped on ice on Saturday, falling and hitting his head, and had been in critical condition earlier this week, news reports said. (Click here for previous coverage.)

Hunt retired in 1995 but remained on the Lowell, Ark., company’s board until 2004. He spent the past 11 years pursuing real estate, construction, development and other activities, the company said.

Hunt and his wife of 54 years, Johnelle, remained the largest shareholder of J.B. Hunt stock, holding more than 34 million shares, or 24%, of the company, Bloomberg reported.

Johnelle Hunt and their son, Bryan, remain directors of the company.

American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves said: "Today, trucking lost one of its industry giants. Mr. Hunt's success served as motivation for the many entrepreneurs in trucking after deregulation in 1980. J.B. is a testament to what lots of hard work, determination and grit can accomplish even from very humble beginnings. He is not only a legend in the trucking industry but a legend in American business."

J.B. Hunt is ranked No. 10 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.