DONALD J. ULRICH, JR.

Don was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sharon, and two children, Tracy Smith, married to Scott, and Chris Ulrich, married to Kristin. He has six grandchildren, Spencer, Carter, and Parker Smith and Ethan, Morgan, and Jordan Ulrich.

Don spent 20 years in the Coca-Cola system. In 1979, he joined the parent company in Atlanta as Senior Vice President and was responsible for USA bottlers and national sales. He acquired an interest in the Coca-Cola franchise for Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Later, after selling his franchise, he and Sharon returned to Phoenix in 1989.

In 1993, he donated a year of his time to reorganize the agencies of the Arizona State government and also guest lectured at Arizona State University Business School.

He served on many boards over his lifetime. Among them were:

Arizona Board of Regents

Arizona State University Foundation

HonorHealth Hospitals

Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

Boys and Girls Hope, National Board

U.S. Olympic Committee, Arizona

Brophy Preparatory School

Heard Museum

Waste Not

National Arts Stabilization Board, New York

Food for the Hungry

Ford’s Theater, Washington, D.C.

Kennedy Center Performing Arts Society

Great Hearts Charter Schools

Coca-Cola Apartheid Committee

Franciscan School of Theology

Because of COVID-19, there will be a small private family service at the Franciscan Renewal Center. Later, a celebration of his life will be announced. Donations can be made to Arizona State University or Hospice of the Valley.