ATLANTA (Nov. 7, 2013) --- John H. Kauffman, chairman and CEO of Kauffman Tire Inc., died Nov. 3 at age 75 at his home in Atlanta after a long illness.
Mr. Kauffman joined the family business – founded by his father Harry Kauffman in 1936 – in 1969 as president after graduating from Ohio State University in 1960. In 1975 he moved the company's headquarters to Atlanta from Ohio.
Besides directing Kauffman Tire – which has grown to become one of North America's largest independent dealerships, with 53 retail stores, 14 distribution centers, four retail/commercial centers, one retreading plant and an e-commerce business spread over seven states – Mr. Kauffman was active in many civic, collegiate and church-related organizations.
Among these were the Junior Achievement of Atlanta, President's Club at Ohio State University and the advisory committee of the College of Arts & Sciences at Ohio State, advisory board of WINSHIP Cancer Institute and advisory board of Action Ministries in Atlanta. He also was involved in Peachtree Road Methodist Church in Atlanta.
He is survived by his wife Brenda; son Mark Kauffman; daughters Wendy Money, Megan LeBlanc and Krista Slade; stepdaughter Brandi Benson; eight grandchildren; and sisters Virginia Fath and Jane Laubach.
Memorial services will be held Friday Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Kauffman's honor to the WINSHIP Cancer Institute, https://winshipcancer.emory.edu/.
