The Quiet Pioneer Behind St. Pete’s Early Growth
May 18, 2026
On May 19, 2004, Florida lost one of its most recognizable business leaders when drugstore pioneer Jack Eckerd died at 91. For decades, his name was part of everyday life in Florida, appearing on more than 2,700 Eckerd Drug Stores at the chain’s peak. Though the storefronts now carry the banners of Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacy, his influence remains woven into the state’s history.
Eckerd entered the business in 1952, purchasing three Florida drugstores and expanding a company first started by his father, J. Milton Eckerd, in 1898. By the time he sold the chain in 1986, it had grown to 1,500 locations. His success fueled a long philanthropic legacy. He and his wife Ruth gave generously to education, the arts, and programs for at-risk children, supporting institutions such as Eckerd College and Ruth Eckerd Hall.
Eckerd also stepped into public life, running three statewide races. Though he never won office, he earned bipartisan respect for the tone of his campaigns. After his passing, Gov. Jeb Bush called him “a great Floridian… with a big and caring heart,” a sentiment shared across the state.