Heaven gained another angel on Monday, June 29th, 2020. Jorn Ivan Budde passed away peacefully at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas after courageously battling Glioblastoma brain cancer for the past 15 months. He left this earth surrounded by so much love and with his wife and daughter holding his hands and talking to him until he took his last breath.
Born December 13th, 1943 to Knud and Anna Budde in Silkeborg, Denmark, Jorn was the fourth of seven children. After serving in the Royal Danish Guards, he graduated from the Business School of the East Asiatic Company in Copenhagen. Upon graduation, he landed a job with a Danish Horticultural Company on the Isle of Guernsey. It was there he met the love of his life, Doreen, and they were married March 27th, 1967 in her hometown of Pontypridd, Wales.
In 1970, with big dreams and an adventurous entrepreneurial spirit, Jorn took a Job with a Danish food company in the United States. After an illustrative career with Plumrose, in 1973, Jorn accepted the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Jimmy Dean Foods and made the move to Dallas, Texas where he put down roots and ultimately became President of the company. Jorn’s accomplishments at Jimmy Dean became legendary making him a highly sought after executive in the food industry. His innate ability to always think big and outside the box led him to go out on his own. He founded Grosnez Management Inc. in the early 80’s, an international food brokerage and trading company, specializing in raisins and hearts of palm.
In 1990, Jorn founded The Unimark Group, an international manufacturing and distributing company specializing in tropical fruits from Mexico and Costa Rica. In 1994, Jorn took the Unimark Group public, trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange. His continued success earned him a nod in Forbes magazine as well as a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
In the late 90’s, he sold his shares in the Unimark Group and tried his hand at retirement, relocating to the beautiful Texas hill country just west of Austin. Quickly realizing retirement was not his style, Jorn started Pasco Foods, Inc. Over a period of nearly 20 years, Pasco has grown dramatically to become a leading supplier of private label french fried onions, hearts of palm, pineapple and other tropical products to grocery stores across the U.S. One market expert recently commented, “Jorn always saw the world in big pictures while most of the rest of us only saw the little steps to build a big picture”. Pasco Foods’ continued successful growth is Jorn’s legacy and a direct result of his expert leadership and dogged determination to succeed. The Pasco Team will proudly move forward to achieve Jorn’s dreams.
Outside of Business, Jorn was so much more. Competitive by nature, he was an avid golfer, card shark, world traveler, wine-connoisseur and history buff. To his family and closest friends, he was affectionately known as “Farmer Jorn” for his endless collection of animals roaming his modest ranch in Spicewood, TX. His passions included PGA golf, NFL football, World Soccer, gastronomy, gardening, anything Danish and most importantly, helping people.
He co-founded a youth soccer association in North Dallas; spearheaded a financial campaign that provided new greens for his beloved Denton Country Club; opened his home to teenagers seeking better opportunities in the USA; helped a number of young Danish golfers obtain scholarships at various universities in Texas; mentored the career paths of many and was instrumental in raising the funds for a new church hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal in Cypress Mills, Tx.
We take great comfort in knowing Jorn is at peace with the Lord. He was our anchor. He will be deeply missed and remembered for his brilliant mind, limitless appetite and appreciation for life, savvy entrepreneurial talents, generous spirit, larger-than-life personality and his deep devotion to his family and friends. May his spirit live on in those who loved him the most. His was a life well lived.
Jorn is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Doreen; his son Ren; his faithful daughter and fierce medical advocate Susse; loving grandchildren Jake and Annabella Budde, Lexi Prickett, Ben and Jake Larsen; brothers Knud Vagn (Isa) and Poul Erik (Kis); sisters Ruth (Agner), Birte (Alex), Erna (Jan); sister-in-law Dorit (Leif, deceased); twelve nieces and nephews.
A thousand thank yous for the wonderful care he received from Dr. Barbara O’Brien and Dr. Jeffrey Weinberg and staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; Dr. Timothy Cloughesy and staff at UCLA Medical Center; Dr. David Peereboom and staff at Cleveland Clinic; Dr. Craig Kemper and staff at Austin Brain & Spine; Dr. Robert Lee and the entire 3rd floor at the St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital; Dr. Brian Vaillant and staff at Texas Oncology; the caring staff of ICU 5 at St, David’s Medical Center; most especially, Nurse Elya who was by our side until the end.
Infinite thank yous to our amazing friends and family who showered us with love, prayers and endless support throughout his journey. We are eternally grateful. Our deepest gratitude goes out to his best friends of 45 years Gary and Darlene Pletcher and dearest family friend Peter Digebjerg who selflessly gave everything and then some without hesitation. May God bless you all.
One of Jorn's biggest wishes was to set up a fund to ensure that those who are less fortunate are able to receive the same cutting edge treatments and care that he was afforded. If you would like to honor him, please consider giving to The Jorn Budde Memorial Fund.
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