QuikTrip co-founder Chester Cadieux, 84, passed away Monday evening, March 14, at his home in Tulsa, Okla.

QuikTrip Spokesman Mike Thornbrugh shared the following statement from the company: “On behalf of the Cadieux family, we are deeply saddened to announce that Chester Cadieux peacefully passed away yesterday evening at his home in Tulsa. Chester’s vision, keen wit, insistence on fairness and marvelous ability to mentor people will never be forgotten. He humbly professed to be ‘luckier than smart,’ and over half a century Chester grew a small neighborhood convenience store into a company that is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best places to work. His greatest love was for his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by Chester’s extraordinary gifts.”

A report in the Tulsa World noted that Chester Cadieux along with former classmate Burt Holmes opened the first QuikTrip in 1958 in Tulsa. Today the chain boasts 700 gas stations and c-stores across 11 states in the Midwest and South.

In a company statement, QuikTrip said his secret was to “hire good people and promote from within.”

QuikTrip was named to Fortune’s Best Places to Work list for the 14th straight year just two weeks ago. His son Chet Cadieux is now the company’s CEO.

Under Chester Cadieux’s watch, QuikTrip grew across the Midwest and Southeast by being one of the first c-stores to be open 24 hours per day. When it came to foodservice, the chain helped expand customers’ expectations of convenience store food.