Founder of Mazzio’s pizza chain dies

Ken Selby, who started what turned into the Mazzio’s pizza chain in 1961 on Route 66 in Tulsa, died of lung cancer Saturday at age 73, according to several Tulsa media sources, including the Tulsa World.

Selby opened his first pizza restaurant at 11th Street (aka Route 66) near Harvard Avenue in Tulsa. It soon was named Ken’s, which later became Mazzio’s.

The original restaurant is still there, although it’s been extensively renovated over the years. The Mazzio’s corporation now counts more than 160 restaurants in nine states.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Mazzio’s, Selby braved summer heat, narrow highway shoulders, and chiggers to walk about 100 miles from Oklahoma City to the original eatery on 11th.

An interesting excerpt from the World’s obituary:

Greg Lippert, Mazzio’s president and CEO, said Selby was an inspiring figure.

“Ken was born to Depression-era parents; he was not a man of means when he came into this world or while growing up,” he said. “He achieved what he did through sheer determination and hard work. The Ken Selby story is a uniquely American story.

“And Ken never forgot where he came from,” Lippert said. “He was comfortable talking to governors and heads of state or to one of our employees making pizzas on a Friday night. He always had great respect for the hourly employees and their vital importance to the company.”

A memorial is set for 2 p.m. May 22 at the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa. His remains were cremated. Survivors included his wife, five children, three sisters, and seven grandchildren.

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