A Journey of Giving
The Life of Jack Edward Fruth, R.Ph
by
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I grew up in Point Pleasant, West Virginia and from the time I was a little girl, Fruth Pharmacy has been a hometown icon. If you were sick, you went there for medication. If you needed a gift, you went there to find just the perfect item. If you were a little girl in need of a candy break, as I often was while growing up, you stopped at Fruth Pharmacy. With your bike parked out front, you ventured in among the myriad things, to find the perfect roll of Sweet Tarts and a bottle of Orange Crush. A “drugstore” that impacted something as vital as your health, yet provided something as inconsequential as sweet refreshment. That’s how much a part of our lives that Fruth Pharmacy has been and still continues to be. Our hometown pharmacist, Jack Fruth, built it. He ran it. He was it.
In these changing times, his family continues the tradition in his absence. If not for his ability to build such a strong foundation, one that could remain sound in today’s business forum, Fruth Pharmacy may well have become a forgotten stop along our travels.
I feel privileged to have been allowed this opportunity to take part in such an important compilation of the lifelong achievements, personal interactions, graceful involvements, and professional accomplishments of Jack Edward Fruth. Through the shared words of this book bound with heart-felt stories, together we begin a blessed reflection to reveal a glimpse into his life. His life was a true journey into the graces of human integrity that involved many people, both personally and professionally.
I want to thank his wife, Frances “Babs” Fruth, for sharing such telling stories and tender memories of the life she shared with her husband. We met on Wednesday mornings to talk about him. We would sit at a table each with a beverage and a little something sweet on which to nibble. One of us would bring the snack. I with a notepad, pen, tape recorder, and rapt attention on her and she with a heart full of expression would begin the journey down memory lane. She recalls him; the memories as clear as if it were yesterday. A lifetime of ambition, love, success, and recognition provides the fodder that lovingly fills these pages.
Their children offered candid memories of their father as a man they love, admire, and miss. His friends, business associates, employees and customers offered recollections of favors, endeavors, loyalty and service. I thank each one for allowing me the opportunity to share their personal experiences as well.
This endeavor has been a rewarding life experience for me. From a hometown Point Pleasant girl who grew up to be a pharmacist myself, he was always a man whom I recognized to be kind and gentle, trustworthy and stable. In truth, to acknowledge the accomplishments of Jack Edward Fruth would be nearly impossible to reveal in their entirety. He was a man who quietly walked through the lives of others sharing goodwill without ever seeking acknowledgement for having done so. I feel so very fortunate to share his life with you. It is with much respect to Jack Edward Fruth that I bring you his story.
Author, Angie Johnson
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About the Book
Jack Edward Fruth was twenty years old when he entered pharmacy school at Ohio State University and among the first group of the five-year class program with thirty-two fellow students. He graduated from Ohio State University School of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in June of 1951. During his time at Ohio State University, Jack met Babs (Frances) Rhodes. Following graduation his journey led him to his first job as a staff pharmacist for Gallaher Drug Company in Springfield and Xenia, Ohio. It didn’t take long before Jack realized the importance of being closer to home and the fact that Point Pleasant, West Virginia needed a pharmacy to service the community. Therefore, the first Fruth Pharmacy located at 2119 Jackson Avenue in Point Pleasant, West Virginia opened its doors to the public on November 1, 1952. Jack Fruth, R.Ph. was on duty. With his mother, Marjorie Fruth, by his side, he ran the pharmacy that exciting first day and took in thirty-seven dollars. His adventure in business had begun.
Along his bountiful journey, he welcomed five children: Mike, Joan, Carol, Lynne, and John, eight grandchildren, established a chain of pharmacies, impacted a community, a church, hundreds of employees and business associates, created scholarship funds, served on professional boards and educational advisory boards, not to mention the personal advisory posts he held for anyone in need. Whether directly or indirectly, he mentored all of us, in some fashion. He lent his hand, heart, and resources and most often quietly so. Although a number of folks could say they have been successful, it is the steps along the way that make his climb to higher ground such an inspirational journey.
About the Author
Angie Johnson was born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia and educated at Ohio Northern University, Raabe College of Pharmacy where she recieved a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. She has a love for writing. She has previously published other works of fiction, poetry and photography, The Midnight Miners and For My Love of Fences and Words. She grew up in Point Pleasant, West Virginia where Jack Fruth established the first Fruth Pharmacy. From the age of sixteen, she worked at Fruth Pharmacy which led her to choose pharmacy as her profession.