Lam, Former Centro Chair, Dies

SN STAFF

LODI, Calif. — Funeral services are scheduled here Friday, Feb. 4, for Jimmy Lam, chairman of Centro Mart, an eight-store operator based here. Lam, 80, died Jan. 30.

He spent nearly 65 years in the Northern California food industry, including 38 years with Centro Market, first as managing partner for the group that acquired it from Diamond Properties in 1973 and subsequently as head buyer-merchandiser. In 1985 he became president and chief executive officer and later was named chairman.

Lam is survived by his wife, Mary; three children; and six grandchildren.

He had previously worked for Diamond Properties — ultimately as corporate head of retail operations — when it sold the stores to Lam and a group of partners in 1973.