Thomas Field Jr.

Thomas W. Field, Jr. passed away peacefully, with his wife at his side, at the age of 91, due to

renal failure. Tom, as he was known to his close friends, was born and raised in the Los Angeles,

California area. Tom dedicated his life to the grocery and retail industry, and his family.

Tom and his wife Ruth Moore, nee Oxley, met while both working at Alpha Beta in 1958 and

were married in 1959 in La Verne. After settling into their home in Arcadia, they moved to

Fullerton with their three daughters upon Tom’s promotion as District Manager for Alpha Beta

Company. Tom and his family enjoyed many wonderful years spending time at their cabin in

Crestline, California and their home in Bullhead City, Arizona. They spent time traveling across

the United Stated, from coast to coast, twice. Later, they enjoyed time with family at their home

in Balboa Beach, CA, Scottsdale, AZ and Clearlake, CA.

Tom was a prominent figure in the American grocery and retail industry, particularly known for

his leadership at Alpha Beta Company, where he served as President from 1976 to 1984. Tom

began his career with Alpha Beta in 1954 as a clerk and quickly rose through the company.

Alpha Beta was a major supermarket chain based in California, and under Tom’s leadership, it

played a significant role in shaping modern grocery retailing in the western United States.

After Tom’s tenure at Alpha Beta, he continued to rise in the corporate world. Tom became the

President of American Stores (Alpha Beta’s parent company) from 1981 to 1984. Tom later

served as President and CEO of McKesson Corporation from 1986 to 1989. In 1989 Tom

founded Field and Associated, a consulting firm, and remained active in corporate governance,

including serving on the board of Campbell Soup Company and as Vice Chairman of Stater Bros.

Holdings.

Tom was widely respected in the supermarket industry, with over 50 years of experience. His

career reflected a deep understanding of retail operations, corporate leadership, and strategic

growth. Tom made lasting contributions to the grocery and retail industries through visionary

leadership, strategic innovation, retail efficiency, and shaped policy and growth in the industry.

Tom was ahead of his time in bringing structure, efficiency, and customer-centric thinking to the

grocery industry, which influenced modern retail practices. Tom championed the development

of store-brand products, while offering customers quality alternatives to national brands – a

strategy now core to many retailers. Tom recognized that customer satisfaction was a completive

differentiator long before it became a buzzword.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Ruth; his five children, Julie Venning of Casa Grande, AZ, 

Sherry Schulz of Prescott, AZ, Cynthia Gelette of Concord, NH, Thomas Field, III, and James Field of Ojai, CA;

his fourteen grandchildren, Steven, Allison, Kassandra, Jeffery, Greggory, Meghan, Timothy, Curtis, Jacob, Emily, 

Thomas Field, IV, William, Kate, and Kai; and eleven great-grandchildren. Sadly, his son Thomas Darcy Field

 predeceased him, and his only brother Robert passed just two days prior to Tom’s death. A private family 

service will be held in La Verne, California.