Ken Macey, the longtime leader of the Macey’s grocery legacy and son of founder Walt Macey, passed away on May 30, 2026, at his home in Lehi, Utah, at the age of 81. His funeral was held on June 8, 2026.
With his passing, family members, friends, colleagues, and generations of Macey’s customers are remembering a man whose leadership helped shape one of Utah’s most beloved grocery brands. More importantly, those who knew him remember a life centered on family, steady leadership and a strong sense of responsibility to community.
Ken grew up in Logan, Utah, in the early days of the family business. His father, Walt Macey, started what would become Macey’s grocery stores with a simple idea: serve people well, treat them fairly, and built something that lasts.
Ken saw the effort behind that vision up close. Long hours and customer-first thinking were not abstract ideas to Ken. They were part of daily life.After Walt retired in 1985, Ken stepped into leadership of the business. Working alongside his wife Robin, he helped guide Macey’s through a time of growth and change. Even as the business expanded, he focused on keeping the personal feel that store guests had come to expect. Macey’s wasn’t simply a place to buy groceries; it was a place where relationships mattered.
In 1999, Ken sold the business to Associated Food Stores. It was a significant transition, but one made with the intention of preserving the brand’s future while maintaining its core values. That decision helped ensure Macey’s would continue growing beyond a single family while still reflecting the culture that was built over decades.
Those who spent time with Ken often describe someone who was more comfortable talking about people than performance. In a previous interview for Team News, he reflected on the history of the company and the evolution of the grocery business, but he kept coming back to the same theme: customers, team members and family. For him, those relationships were the real measure of success.
Even after stepping away from day-to-day leadership, Ken remained connected to the Macey’s story and the people behind it. He took pride in seeing the next generations carry the company forward while staying grounded in the same values his father shared decades ago.