Jack Kopkin, co-founder of Office Depot, dies at 77

Jul 19, 2008 (South Florida Sun-Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- ODP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Jack Kopkin of Boca Raton, who co-founded the Office Depot chain of 1,600 office supply stores, died Thursday from complications following a stroke. Mr. Kopkin was 77.

Born in Chattanooga, Tenn., he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict.

Mr. Kopkin, Pat Sher and Stephen Dougherty founded Office Depot in 1986 when warehouse retailing was in its infancy.

"Jack worked tirelessly to establish Office Depot as a pioneer in the office products industry before retiring in 1990," said Brian Levine, spokesman for Delray Beach-based Office Depot. "His entrepreneurial vision was instrumental in building the foundation for our company."

The office supply company's first store opened in Lauderdale Lakes in October 1986. Mr. Kopkin was executive vice president and general merchandise manager, "combining his merchandising background and people skills to create and grow the Office Depot brand," Levine said.

The young Office Depot ended its first year with three stores, $2 million in sales and a work force of less than 200. By the end of 2007, Office Depot had grown to a global operation with sales of $15.5 billion.

Office Depot will commemorate Mr. Kopkin's accomplishments in its new Boca Raton headquarters, scheduled to open in November.

Office Depot and associates plan to contribute in Mr. Kopkin's memory to Hospice By The Sea and the National Parkinson Foundation.

Mr. Kopkin is survived by his wife, Sylvia; a daughter, Carol; two sons, Bruce (Lenora) and Robert; grandchildren, Danielle, Rachel, Zachary, Derek, Megan and Jacob; sister, Lena Mott; brother, Ted (Ethel); his wife's daughters, Marla and Nedra Hoffman, and Alanna (James) Kirkpatrick; and nieces and nephews.

Services were held Friday at the Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, Delray Beach.

Margie Plunkett can be reached at or 954-356-4663.

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