When everyone told Grace to just let go, the love of her husband and the desire to honor a promise propelled her forward into uncharted territory as she fought to keep the Whataburger legacy alive. Man dies after crashing his plane near U.S. 40. On June 23, 1950, the Texas Secretary of State office granted Dobson the trademark for Whataburger. Dobson then invested more time and more effort into developing the first Whatabuger.4, Eventually, on August 8, 1950, Dobson opened and sold his first Whataburger through the window of a little portable building. This browser does not support getting your location. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. I had over 5000 dollars invested in a drilling deal in Loving County, Texas, and on May 18 almost lost the whole thing through his drinking by fouling up a deal only two days before the money would have been forfeited Am now interested in financing Paul Burton, a hamburger expert, in some small specialized hamburger joints somewhere in Texas. In August, they opened their first location on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, across the street from Del Mar College. The number of locations doubled to more than 200 restaurants. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup and Original Mustard became available at H-E-B stores and online at Whatastore in 2013. By The Canadian Press Sat., Sept. 26, 2020 In Reeses telling, the states most famous burger joint has become just another greedy corporate entity. I had no idea that the founder, Harmon Dobson, was not originally from here. Ben Cauley survived the crash and James Alexander was not on the plane. On August 8, 1950, the first Whataburger opened at 2609 Ayers Street. By 1960, Whataburger had 17 restaurants. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. He wanted this burgers to be so delicious that it would make a person yell, What a burger! This inspired the naming of his company. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. Fowler died after the Harmon Rocket plane he was piloting went down in a field northwest of Thorsby, Alta., on Saturday afternoon. Non-family executives, without direct ownership interest in a privately held company, sometimes try to profit from a companys success by heading up a public offering. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Failed to report flower. They werent in a hurry to expand, and they rarely if ever expanded outside their comfort zone and their target market.. However, the oil business would prove to be about as profitable for Dobson as the diamond business. Boasting 6,000 square feet, stunning water views and a life-size bronze likeness of Harmon Dobson, this flagship restaurant is a fitting tribute to an amazing man. For Adler, the name on the stadium and the ball-throwing honor were small tributes to a woman he thought the world of. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. . Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Really great article. After the settlement, the leadership of both companies changed. It was also surprising to me that Whataburgers exists in other states. Whataburger saw a change of leadership for the first time since the 1990s as Tom Dobson, Harmon's son, took over as President and CEO. So proud & so tired.17. The '70s was a decade of Whataburger milestones. Dobson then bounced around a lot after that work on the Suez Canal in Egypt, and then in Bahrain where he was in charge of a construction of a mess hall. UPLAND, Pa. (AP) _ A former New Jersey state trooper severely injured in the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa, last month has died, a hospital spokeswoman said. Angel crashed fifteen times before meeting his demise, but it only took Dobson four wrecks to wake up and realize the diamond business might prove fatal. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Along the way she made lifelong friends, including Bill Sheka Sr., 83, who knew her for 50 years. You can count real friends on one hand. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Try again later. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in 1955, five years after he opened the first Whataburger near Del Mar College. DeLaughters Is the Little Grocery Store That Could, The Daughter of a Barbecue Family Takes Tradition in a New Direction, The Old Orange Cafe Is a Piece of Local History, Gen Zs Homemade Tortillas Could Use an Upgrade. how privileged we are to have been in a partnership with you for this long.. Cant tell much yet.6, August 11, 1950- Nice day today $97. Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. He was not afraid to tell people if they did not meet his standards.. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. It hurts the brand ultimately.. During the early 1990s, profits declined as new items such as popcorn shrimp, salads, and steak sandwiches were added to the menu. During Hurricane Harvey, Whataburger rallied around the Corpus Christi community and quickly began rebuilding and fundraising efforts. These days, Whataburger doesnt seem so grateful. Today, in 2019, it has been 69 years since the first Whataburger opened up. By the company's seventh decade, Whataburger had grown from a single burger stand in Corpus Christi to an 800-restaurant chain that spanned every state from Arizona to Florida. "But through all of their giving and the charitable things that they did for the community and the state of Texas it glowed down on her anyway. Unfortunately, Coy was protective of Grace and had warned her about dating his unsettled, gallivanting brother. cemeteries found in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. After experiencing numerous losses that caused him to lose over $5,000, Dobson returned to the U.S. Dobson began by doing dozens of quick auto deals before returning to Texas to scout for oil. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. And You Thought Feral Hogs Were Bad. [6] According to witnesses, Dobson was apparently taking off in a steep climb when both engines on the plane failed at around 75 to 100 feet (23 to 30m) in the sky and then plummeted back into the ground. GREAT NEWS! Oct 21, 2020, 9:31am PST. This plane was easy to spot as it towed a Whataburger banner in the air and blared its duck-like airhorn.9, After every flight, business would do well. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Dobson was a notorious bachelor, but he had always liked a beautiful young widow he met at the C.I.T. Credit Corporation in Batesville during his auto dealing years. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. . David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. Please reset your password. Andrews, a longtime friend of Whataburger founder Harmon Dobsons, wasnt simply the companys first franchisee, he was its most successful, opening dozens of locations in Texas and helping the chain build its reputation. I'm going to miss her, too." My name is Courtney Pena and I am from McAllen, Texas. In June 1950, Dobson was granted the Whataburger name trademark. A system error has occurred. Harmon was a stickler for cleanliness and very detailoriented, his sister LenaRae explained to biographer Greg Woolridge. The airplane operated on a flight from Stephenville-Ernest Harmon AFB, NL (YJT) to Terceira-Lajes AFB, Azores (TER). Along the way they talked about old times and old friends. There is even a Whataburger race car and a Whataburger field in Corpus Christi that hosts a minor league baseball team. Resend Activation Email. The Dobsons son, Tom, became Whataburgers chief executive in 1993. In 1953, Joe Andrews Sr. became the first franchise owner that was not one of the original founders, with a location in Alice, Texas. On June 23, 1950, the Texas Secretary of State office granted Dobson the trademark for Whataburger. Dobson then invested more time and more effort into developing the first Whatabuger.4, Eventually, on August 8, 1950, Dobson opened and sold his first Whataburger through the window of a little portable building. Im beginning to like it & the dollars too.11, By the spring of 1967, Whataburger had expanded to more than forty stores in sixteen Texas cities and four states since it had first opened in 1950. In addition to a legacy of giving, Lady Grace made sure to instill her children with hard work and Whataburger values. Under the leadership of Grace Dobson, the company thrived and grew. I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. The burgers were always cooked exactly how the customer wanted them to be. On July 19, 1989, one of the most dramatic events in aviation unfolded in the skies over Iowa as heroic pilots battled to land a crippled DC-10. Im beginning to like it & the dollars too.11, By the spring of 1967, Whataburger had expanded to more than forty stores in sixteen Texas cities and four states since it had first opened in 1950. One year, 24 weddings were held at a Dallas Whataburger. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Through the years, she also served in numerous philanthropic capacities including working for the USO, Coastal Bend Youth City, the Kidney Foundation and the Texas State Aquarium. Whataburger was becoming what Dobson always knew it could, and his family was happy and successful. I never knew that Dobsons initial intent was to try and strike oil here in Texas. The burger chain has large hamburgers, skinny long fries, creamy milkshakes, and more. Normally, they look at me skeptically as if to say,Yeah, Right!! The Dobson family and their extended Whataburger family rallied around and supported Grace as she took over the business. He had $2500 to invest in the right deal involving oil, and eventually, he became partners with Henry Mode on an oil lease in Loving County, Texas.2 Yet, this investment did not lead to success. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. His mother, Louise, and his sister, Kathy Reese, ran the business until Louise died, in 2005, leaving Reese in charge. He took jobs at the county fair and as an apprentice iron worker. Were honored today to just say . Make sure that the file is a photo. Most people thought Grace Dobson would sell her rapidly growing hamburger business after her husband died in a private plane crash in 1967. According to the lawsuit, Reese met with Atkinson, who told her that despite the agreement, Whataburger didnt believe it was obligated to approve new sites and that it could veto any sites that the franchisee selected. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. Also on board and killed was soul singer Otis Redding . Great job on your article Courtney! Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. The brand really is tied to both of these families, Hartmann says. Try again later. However, if one thinks about it, if it were not for this incident, Dobson would not have gone down the road that he did to finance Whataburger. The main reason for the move was for oil. Burton wanted to cut back on the product, convinced that customers would not pay that much. Ways to honor Grace Dobson's life and legacy. Before the Whataburger, the typical burger was a White Castle slider, a two-ounce beef patty on a 2-inch bun. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Today, our founder's original vision still inspires everything we do. Some people are legendary because of what they have done, but others and perhaps the most important ones, are legendary because of who they are. Whataburger is so common to me, as a Texan, that I forget not every state has one. January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. He charged a pricy 25 cents since the burgers were better quality than the competitors burgers. It has expanded in the Southwest United States with about 800 locations in ten states. On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. Since post-war production had not yet returned, the U.S. had a great need for autos, particularly in rural areas. The pragmatic Lady Grace rolled up her sleeves and got to work, teaching her children the family business along the way. He kicked off New Year's Day 1950 with a. Whats the beef between Texass most iconic burger chain and its most loyal franchisee? The main reason for the move was for oil. (Dobson remains as chairman.) In 1942, Dobson went to North Africa to do work on pipefitting scrapyard work, and cable rigging for Bell Telephone Company. In 1969, Grace became chairman of the board. . I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. Police received a call at 1:41 p.m that a Harmon Rocket plane crashed into a field near Township Road 504 and Range Road 21, and then caught fire. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. But the rift between the Andrews family and the burger chain they helped build represents a struggle between the past and the present, and between two families who have known each other for a long time. Tom officially took over Whataburger in 1993 and is still company chairman today. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. Try again. in 2013. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. Whataburger is bigger than all of those, and that may be the point. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. The plane went up 100 feet off the runway and came straight back down. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. This is the era in which country music legend Mel Tillis started appearing in television commercials for the company, a role that would continue through the 80s. . The war was over, and his adventure had ended. Grace Dobson, also known as Lady Grace, is the famous face behind the Whataburger empire. [7], In his will, Dobson left the company to his wife, Grace Dobson, who at the time was encouraged to sell the company. In the midst of this turmoil, Andrews, who decades earlier had been given exclusive rights to Bexar, Bee, Jim Wells, and Webb counties, decided in 1990 to sell his San Antonio franchises to an outside buyer, in order to better focus on the South Texas market. This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed.3, Dobson aimed to make a better burger a burger so good that it would require two hands to hold it. Try again later. By the company's seventh decade, Whataburger had grown from a single burger stand in Corpus Christi to an 800-restaurant chain that spanned every state from Arizona to Florida. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. A Montana family is mourning the loss of their husband, father and grandfather this week after the 50-year-old man crashed in an airplane in Summit County while flying solo along a route he knew well. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. The struggles that Dobson endured building such an important food chain are inspiring. The case went to trial in 1993, but the two sides settled before the jury reached a verdict. Early life [ edit] He felt like the burgers at Dairy King were too small and wanted to build a really big burger, calling it the Whataburger. He purchased a frozen custard stand called Dairy King in Big Spring, Texas, and ran it for a few weeks to learn the business. They were finally recovered earlier this month after five months of rescue attempts. I had over 5000 dollars invested in a drilling deal in Loving County, Texas, and on May 18 almost lost the whole thing through his drinking by fouling up a deal only two days before the money would have been forfeited Am now interested in financing Paul Burton, a hamburger expert, in some small specialized hamburger joints somewhere in Texas. I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. In June Dallas-based Brinker International, which owns Chilis and Maggianos Little Italy, unveiled a plan to buy franchises to boost earnings. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. As a standard for mythical tall tales and legends, it comes as no surprise that Texas holds the national corner on stories of lost treasure. Whataburger was doing well after its grand opening. Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in . The beloved Nickel Mugnow a classic piece of Americanadebuted as a promotion which was supposed to last 1-year but ended up running for 14. Shocked and saddened, the Whataburger family gathered around Lady Grace to comfort her and her three children in the wake of the tragedy. Today, more than seven-hundred of the distinctive orange and white WHATABURGER restaurants can be found in eleven states, and total more than $1billion is sales annually. Ive always enjoyed eating the food there and its a top 3 fast food chain for me. Always thinking bigger, the moment Whataburger began, Dobson and Burton were already seeking a possible second location in Houston. Thomas Mark Harmon, 50, of Laurel, Mont., died at the scene Monday after crashing his small plane . Perhaps the Depression stuck with young Harmon because food was important to him long after tough economic times had ended. At the end of 1980, Whataburger opened its 300th restaurant. The story of Dobson was well written here. The Transportation Safety Board says a plane that crashed last year southwest of Edmonton killing the two people on board, had collided with a power line.. New Year's Day, 1950, Harmon Dobson, a sometime bush pilot, diamond courier, and automobile dealer, wrote in his journal: . This account has been disabled. Its hard to ignore a burger that makes you say What a Burger!. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. Whataburger moved its Home Office to San Antonio from Corpus Christi in 2009. This time, however, it indicated that it wasnt inclined to do so. Thats what made me mad, made me want to fight, Grace told biographers. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. Learn more about merges. On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. In November 1942, a B-17 bomber with a 12-man crew crashed into a Greenland ice cap. Despite all these changes, we're still sticking to what got us here. Were not making much profit but at least they are going fast for our product.7, August 12, 1950- Big Day 141.80 What a workhouse 551 hamburgers.8, Dobson realized the presentation of his burgers mattered. The men were killed instantly.12, About two years after Harmon Dobsons death, on July 10, 1969, Grace Dobson, the wife of Harmon Dobson, was officially elected chairwoman of the board with George W. Garrison named as the president. When I think of Whataburger, I immediately think of Texas and burgers. 200 RESTAURANTS AND GROWING. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. Tom healed the wounds that Peterson left on Whataburger by pulling together as a company, simplifying its message, shutting down less profitable locations, and putting emphasis back on its famous burgers.14. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Oops, something didn't work. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. In addition to that, Dobson sold chips and a cold drink with the burger. By the end of the decade, Harmon would open Whataburger #21 in Pensacola, Florida. Tom Dobson. She threw out the ball at the field right before she got really sick. At 4:28 p.m, the plane took off, but, unfortunately, something went wrong. Franchisees also sued over a mandatory rebate plan, which WOA claims amounted to forcing vendors to pay illegal rebates, kickbacks, and bribes to Whataburger and its executives. Their family complete, the Dobsons embarked on the happy, golden age of Whataburger. Police say the Harmon Rocket a two-seat sport plane caught fire after the crash, and both a man and a woman were found deceased inside the aircraft. The place did well, and soon Dobson added two more locations in Corpus and one in nearby Kingsville. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. While passing through the Southwest United States, particularly Texas, one will probably encounter big, tall, orange and white signs with a Texas-sized W. This is the sign of the famous Texas fast food restaurant Whataburger. [4] It has expanded in the Southwest United States with about 800 locations in ten states. Harmon Dobson was the founder of WHATABURGER Inc. Mary Lynne and Hugh are both members of the board of directors. [1] In 1971, the company opened its first drive-through store, and in 1972, it opened its 100th store. [4] In 1993, her son Tom Dobson became the CEO and president of Whataburger. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The very first WhataGames, the company's biennial burger Olympic competition for Team Members, was held.