Potato - and Computer Chip - King Dies

By Michael Santo
Editor-in-Chief, RealTechNews

Billionaire J.R. Simplot, whose wealth earned him the title of “spud king” of America, passed away Sunday at his Boise home (where else but Boise for the “spud king”) at the age of 99.

Simplot and his family were ranked at No. 80 on Forbes magazine’s 2006 list of richest Americans, with an estimated wealth of $3.2 billion.

His wealth also helped fund what became one of the world’s largest computer chip companies, Micron Technology, which is based in — you guessed it, Boise. In 1980 gave Ward and Joe Parkinson $1 million for 40% of the company. He added $20 million over the years to help Micron build its first manufacturing plant and to stay afloat. Micron Technology is among the Worldwide Top 20 Semiconductor Sales Leaders.

Although his business was successful prior to the war, it was his expansion into freezing and canning after the war which developed the product that would become his company’s mainstay: the frozen french fry. He struck a deal with McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, and the rest is history.

At one time Simplot was a McDonald’s board member, and later in life he could be seen driving his white Lincoln Town Car with “Mr. Spud” personalized plates to McDonald’s for hash browns or french fries several times a week.