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John B. Kilroy Sr., the real estate titan who went by Jim and founded Kilroy Realty Corp nearly 70 years ago, has died at the age of 94.
He died Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA.
Jim, who was known as a skilled sailor and inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame, grew Kilroy Realty from humble beginnings during the Depression—reportedly with just $100 in his pocket—to one of the top real estate firms on the West Coast, the LA Times reports.
Aside from LA, Kilroy Realty has properties in San Diego and Orange Counties, Seattle and the Bay Area, totaling 13.7M SF. The LA properties include Sunset Media Center and the Academy project in Hollywood.
Jim retired as chairman of the firm three years ago. His son, John Kilroy Jr., is the current chairman and CEO.
Kilroy Realty, valued at more than $6B, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Jim was born on May 1, 1922, in Ruby, AK, and later moved to Southern California where, raised by a single mother, he worked odd jobs during the Depression.
He wrote of his life, business career and love of sailing in his autobiography, Kialoa US-1: Dare to Win, published four years ago.
The John B. and Nelly Llanos Kilroy Foundation created a scholarship at Loyola Marymount University for students who are US citizens with financial needs and have academic merit, according to the university’s website.
There is a funeral Mass scheduled for 10am Saturday at Loyola Marymount University’s Sacred Heart Chapel.
Jim is survived by his wife, Nelly, and five children, five stepchildren, 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. [LAT]
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