Jack Renfro: Salsa Pioneer & Family Man

0:00It's April 8th, you're listening to Dallas News today, AI Power Local News. John Jackwendo Renfrow, the 89-year-old son of Renfrow Foods Founders, passed away on April 6th while battling throat cancer. As Chief Operating Officer, he ran the day-to-day manufacturing, shipping, and plant expansions for the Fort Worth family business, turning it into a salsa powerhouse so nationwide and beyond. Back in the 1970s, Jack spotted potential in a failing local taco sauce maker and pushed his brother Bill to buy it out. That bold move shifted the company from spices and relishes to sauces, now nearly 30 products strong, fueling their success with big clients and stores everywhere. His son Doug, now company president, calls Jack a dreamer who trusted people over spreadsheets and always said go for it on new chances. Only men everything too, married over 60 years to Connie until her 2023 passing, leaving

1:00three kids, eight grandkids, six great-grandkids, and sister Linda. Jack balanced to work with home life, ditching Saturdays to be with them. He earned spots like the specialty food association Hall of Fame in 2016 and saw the company finalist for a top small business award in 2018. By but friendly, Jack rode bulls, clowned in rodeos, loved classic cars like his 1935 Ford for cross-country races, and stayed active in North Fort Worth Baptist Church. Jack's legacy lives in Renfro Foods' growth and the salsa he handed out everywhere, inspiring the next generation. The family asked for donations to North Fort Worth Historical Society and Spring Creek Baptist Church instead of flowers, with services set for April, 16th and 17th.