Local Coke Exec, 60, Dies: Sellers Devoted Life to Family-Owned Bottling Business
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Throughout his life, Coke was it for Ronald L. Sellers.
As a youngster, he sorted empty soda bottles while growing up near the Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Inc. plant on Stockton Boulevard. As an adult, he helped manage the Coke plant and, for the past 16 years, led his family's 80-year-old bottling operation as president and chief executive officer.
Sellers died Tuesday of respiratory failure. He was 60.
A longtime civic booster and avid sportsman, Sellers was part of a family legacy that ran the region's Coca-Cola bottling and distribution business for three generations.
During his time at the helm, the company grew to become the nation's ninth largest Coca-Cola bottler, serving nine Northern California counties, including Sacramento, Solano, El Dorado and Tuolumne. The company—the only independent Coke bottler in the state—employs about 475 people in Sacramento and Modesto. Last year, it recorded $93.5 million in revenues.
Sellers' business achievements came amid a series of health problems stemming from serious leg injuries suffered from an auto accident in his late teens. He had used a wheelchair since the late 1980s.
"I always admired how he handled the many setbacks he had with his health," said Robbie Waters, a longtime friend and Sacramento city councilman. "He would do anything for you."
Born Oct. 20, 1946, in Sacramento, Sellers grew up near the Stockton Boulevard bottling plant started by his grandfather, Nathan Sellers, who in 1927 acquired the rights to sell Coca-Cola for most of Northern California.
After graduating from Sacramento High School, Sellers attended Pepperdine University in Southern California.
In July 1973, he was appointed executive vice president and general manager of Sacramento Coca-Cola.
Sellers became chief executive in November 1991 after his aunt, Virginia R. Roper, retired as president.
Over the years, Sellers set a course for the family-owned business to grow. The company is planning a multimillion-dollar expansion to combine its production and distribution operations in North Natomas.
Sacramento Coca-Cola wants to add about 100,000 square feet of warehouse, office and meeting space.
Sellers was known for building one of Sacramento's largest private pools in the late 1980s— appropriately done in tiles of red and white, Coke's colors.
The bottom of the pool featured a 6-foot-long tile mosaic of the Coca-Cola logo.
Described as a private person, Sellers did not shy away from attending charity events, including a gourmet gala featuring Gov. George Deukmejian in 1985.
He backed the River Oaks Center for Children, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Republican causes, and contributed to Sacramento City Council campaigns.
Like his grandfather, Sellers was a supporter of the California State Fair. In 1985, he received the organization's prestigious Golden Bear Award after working with officials to provide free fair tickets to underprivileged children.
Sellers also was a member of Ducks Unlimited, the Sacramento Safari Club and the California Waterfowl Association.
"He was in total support to make Sacramento a better place to live," Waters said. "I never saw him turn down any organization—Little League, soccer—that wanted donations."
Sacramento Coca-Cola officials said funeral arrangements are pending.
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