Jan Arlen Lovell, loving father, proud grandfather, and food & beverage enthusiast, passed away on January 22, 2026. If there was a kitchen to run, a menu to fix, or a meal to enjoy, he was all in—and usually had an opinion worth listening to.
Mr. Lovell had a gift for hospitality that went far beyond the restaurant business—it was simply who he was. A past Restaurateur of the Year, he served as President of auJuice, Inc. and as President and Director of the Dallas Restaurant Association. He also spent 20 years shaping future industry leaders as an assistant professor and department chair of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Northwood University in Cedar Hill, Texas. His career highlights include serving as General Manager of S&D Oyster Co. from 1976-1980 and Food and Beverage Director for Chili’s Grill & Bar from 1980-1984.
Mr. Lovell is survived by his son Jeff Lovell; daughters-in-law Sammi Maon-Lovell and Erin Lovell; granddaughter Amber Lovell; and grandsons Jake Bohn, Joshua Lovell, and Cameron Lovell. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara Lovell and son Graham Lovell. His legacy lives on in well-run restaurants, shared meals, raised glasses—and the many people who felt looked after simply by being in his presence.
