Jack Eckerd, 91; Built Drugstore Chain, Was Philanthropist, Politician

Jack Eckerd, 91, a millionaire philanthropist who turned three rundown drugstores into an empire that bore his name, died Wednesday in Clearwater, Fla. The cause of death was not disclosed.

The son of a wealthy drugstore owner, Eckerd was born in Wilmington, Del. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, but dropped out to go to flight school.

He served in the Army Air Forces during World War II.

Eckerd moved to Florida in 1952 and bought the three drugstores in the Tampa area for $150,000.

By 1975, Eckerd Drug Stores had 465 locations in 10 states, with 12,000 employees. Eckerd sold the chain in 1986, and 10 years later, it was bought by JCPenney Co. for $2.6 billion.

Active in political affairs in Florida, Eckerd, a Republican, ran unsuccessfully for governor twice and the U.S. Senate once.

In 1975, President Ford named him to head the General Services Administration.

As a philanthropist, Eckerd founded Eckerd Youth Alternatives, a Clearwater-based organization that runs wilderness camps and school programs for troubled youths in seven states.

He also was a major benefactor of Eckerd College, a private liberal arts college in St. Petersburg, Fla.