Former Washington State Fruit Commission President Passes Away

Longtime president of the Washington State Fruit Commission, B.J. Thurlby, passed away early Saturday morning, following cancer surgery.  He was 60.

Thurlby’s was with the Fruit Commission for 30 years, lending an ear and support to the 2,200 growers the commission has represented.  He was immensely respected in the industry.

The Commission added Thurlby’s professional passion was serving growers, and de was a steadying presence in an industry of continual change.

Board Chairman Doug Field stepped in to work with the commission’s staff following Thurlby’s diagnosis last summer and will continue to do so until a successor is named.

“B.J. was a great ambassador for our industry,” Field said. “The positive impacts of his passionate efforts to promote our cherries and soft fruits in the USA and around the world will be felt long into the future.

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