Joe Esco, a national pioneer in the retail tire industry, passed away February 1. He was 86.
According to Oklahoma City’s The Oklahoman, he began his career in the tire industry as a salesman for the B.F.Goodrich Co. in 1949. He started the Joe Esco Tire Co. in 1959 and over the years opened several retail outlets throughout Oklahoma City.
In 1971 Esco began a retreading plant for off-road equipment, eventually opening tire businesses in Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas and Arkansas. In 1980 he was elected president of the National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association (now the Tire Industry Association [TIA]), and he sold the Joe Esco Tire Co. in 1997. In 2008 he entered the TIA Hall of Fame, receiving its Historical Contributions Award.
He was preceded in death by his wife Martha, and is survived by daughter Susan Esco Chandler and son Steven Joe Esco.
(Photo courtesy of TIA.)
