J.D. McAlpin 1929-1969 was a super-energized individual with an overload of charisma. A Native of Somerset, he started out in business, moving his wife and daughter to Lexington, selling Fuller brushes door to door in Lexington, KY, in 1949, and still holds the record for the number of brushes sold in one day for Fuller. From there, he went to selling door-to-door vacuum cleaners and excelled in that company as well. With his proven track record in sales, Ralph Shearer in the formation of Southern Belle Dairy, in the beginning of the company, from the start of it, in 1951 asked J. D. to move from Lexington, KY, to Somerset, KY, to join the company as co-founders of Southern Belle Dairy and as the vice president of the company and as a major stockholder to secure Southern Belle's future in selling milk in stores over the region of Somerset,Ky well into the state of Tennessee. J. D. McAlpin's powerful personality was the key element in getting the sales up for Southern Belle Dairy to become successful. From there, in 1965, J. D. McAlpin started a used car lot, with one car on Highway #27 in Somerset, KY, which became in 1968 McAlpin Chrysler Products Inc. J.D. borrowed the money from First and Farmer’s National Bank in Somerset with no collateral and the loan papers states very clearly that the bank loaned him the money based solely on his ability as an achiever. J.T. Wilson of the bank, the president, recommended the loan. J. D. had so much political influence with Louie B. Nunn, Governor, at the time McAlpin Chrysler had their opening day in August 1969, the State Hwy #27 south was closed off three times that day for drag races in front of the dealership. Because of his generous spirit, J. D. gave his brother Earl, friends Richard Price, and Harold Massey stock in the company to lend them a helping hand. Mr. McAlpin also owned an airplane sales business and was one of the first private twin-engine aircraft owners in the state of Kentucky at the time in 1969. J.D. had lined up and was in the process of taking 50 Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises with John Y. Brown JR during this time. Abruptly, on September 20, 1969, Mr. McAlpin was killed in his 1969 Piper Aztec twin airplane in the mountains of West Virginia while coming home from Boston to secure a part for Southern Belle's homogenizer machine, which had malfunctioned. J. D., who had his own business enterprises at that time, took that flight to risk his life because he knew his friend Ralph Shearer was in trouble, and it was J. D.'s nature to be loyal to his friends and took no thought for his life while in bad weather making the flight to help Ralph. J.D. used to say that if he " listened to people saying how a person can't do this or can't do that, he would still be selling Fuller brushes." J. D. would walk through fire to please a customer or help a friend. Gene Robinson of Somerset used to say that ..." I always wanted to drive a Lincoln Continental, but I drove Chrysler's because J. D. sold them." J. D. helped and encouraged many small business friends to expand and take charge of their future. J. D. was the epitome of success and a perfect image of how persistence and tenacity pay off for success. Many people enjoyed success because of J.D.'s friendship.
Another one of our favorite stories about J.D., is when he was trying to get the Cas Walker super market chain in Knoxville, TN, to buy their milk. J.D. had stopped down several times to see Mr. Walker but he was always out of his office. Then, the last time he went to see Cas Walker the secretary unknowingly let it slip that Mr. Walker was in Daytona Beach for a vacation. J.D. endeared the secretary and shared that he, too, vacationed in Daytona and during the conversation the secretary let it slip the hotel Mr. Walker was staying in. Well, J.D. didn't need an engraved invitation so he got in his plane and flew to Daytona to the hotel Mr. Walker was staying in. J.D. found a way to know the room number and went and knocked on Mr. Walker's door. Mr. Walker opened the door and J.D. said, " Mr. Walker, I don't mean to upset you but I have tried to find you at your office several times and I figured you may not be as busy on vacation, so I wanted to introduce myself to you and get milk space in your store." Well, J.D. recalled Mr. Walker staring at him a few seconds and J.D. said he didn't know what to expect, but Cas Walker said, " Mr. McAlpin, if you will go to all this trouble to find me and are this passionate about your milk, then I know you will take good care of my store. You call me Monday morning and we will make a section of milk for you."
This was a Hallmark example of tenacity and has been an inspriation to our company's success at the J.D. McAlpin Group, Inc. J.D. McAlpin set out from the very start to get a piece of the American dream. He would not let anything or anyone stand in his way.
The Iconic Southern Belle Dairy located on Bourne Avenue in Somerset, Ky. You could always know if J.D. and Ralph were there because they drove matching grey Chrysler Imperials. Circa 1968-69.
THE ORIGINAL FOUNDING MEMBER OF SOUTHERN BELLE DAIRY SINCE 1951 J.D. MCALPIN HIRES VARNA HOLT
Southern Belle Dairy
Newspaper: SOURCE COMMONWEALTH JOURNAL
10-16-1966
Varna Holt, right, has joined Southern Belle Dairy as sales managed, following a long careerwith Fisher Packaging. Congratulating him is J.D. McAlpin who was recently elevated to vice president for sales. McAlpin has been with the company since its formation in 1951.
You can ask anyone who remembers the early days of Southern Belle Dairy, and they will tell you that the company's success was in direct correlation with J.D. McAlpin's involvement with the company. J.D. McAlpin was the engine behind the company's success. J.D. led the company through the early years of its development, which would be the standard for the company's foundation and ultimate success. Henry Gillum was also an invaluable member of the organiztion. Often referred to as J.D.'s right hand man, Henry was a devoted and loyal friend.
Opening Day McAlpin Chrysler
McAlpin Chrysler 1969. On the left is Earl McAlpin (J.D.'s brother), Harold Massey, J.D. McAlpin, and J.D.'s oldest son, Don McAlpin. Don had a new 1969 440 Six Pack ( Shaker hood) Plymouth Cuda that dragged Billy Stepp ( Billy the Kid ) three times a day over the opening day weekend on U.S. Highway #27 outside of the dealership. The crowds went wild. The engine featured in the picture was Chrysler's new 426 Hemi.
This car was McAlpin Chrysler's drag racer. A 1970 Plymouth Cuda 440 Six Pack ( six barrel ) with the Shaker hood. Only 902 of them were made by Chrysler. With 335 Horsepower, this car made an impressive dragster in that era. This is the car that dragged the infamous Billy the Kid on the opening day of the dealership when Governor Louis B. Nunn closed the U.S. Hwy #27, so three times a day, State Troopers would shut down the highway for customers to be entertained with the drag races. It was a festive opening, and drag races on the highway would most likely not happen today.
Earl McAlpin showing a car in the new McAlpin Chrysler showroom. J.D. could trust no one more than his brother, Earl, to handle the daily finances of the business. The two brothers came from a strong family with Patriarch, Rev. W.W. McAlpin, Daddy Mac, at the helm. Many brothers and sisters gave way to a slew of cousins. The McAlpin Clan left a mark on Somerset, KY. J.D. and Wallace basically ran the town in the mid 1960's. The rich family love that Daddy Mac drilled into the family has remained consistent through the years with the family staying close.
1948 Somerset High School Class Reunion
J.D. And Mary Margaret McAlpin at the 1948 Somerset High School class reunion. Picture on left of Mary Margaret is Dock S. McCartt. Just like J.D. gave his brother, Earl, Richard Price and Harold Massey stock in McAlpin Chrysler, he did the same for Dock McCartt when J.D. bought the M.L. Gover's Men's Store. Bother J.D. and Dock worked for M/L/ during high school, so when M.L. sold the store he called J.D. to buy it. Then J.D., who had many business interest, gave Dock McCartt 25% interest in the store and Dock managed the store into the 80's. Lifting people up was what J.D. McAlpin was all about. He placed that habit of generosity about profits. Many people enjoyed success from the generosity of J.D. McAlpin.
The W.W. McAlpin Family
Pictured here are from Lef to Right back row: Fayrene, Earl, Francis, John. Front row: J.D., Rev. W.W. McAlpin, The Patriarch ( Daddy Mac) and Eulan, The Matriarch, (Momma Mac). This picture was circa 1946.
That’s my daddy in a white shirt building the Burnside Bridge. JD McAlpin. He went from the highway department to selling Fuller Brushes in Lexington. Then, he built Southern Belle Dairy. Then McAlpin Chrysler. He was one of Kentucky's first private owners of a twin-engine airplane. He gave his brother Earl, Harold Massey, and Richard Price an opportunity in his car dealership. He had a big heart and loved people. One of my favorite stories of him was when a poor man came to the car lot looking at a used car. He had five or six kids hanging out of his window, and the guys in the showroom all made fun of him, saying they wouldn't waste their time waiting on him because they knew he'd never be able to afford that old used car. My Daddy heard the men talking like this from his office and came out to help the man himself. After a while, Daddy and the man walked in, and Daddy took him into the business office to get the transfer made. When the man left with his new car they all wanted to know how on earth that man could afford that car and asked my dad about it. I remember I was about nine years old, and Daddy turned around and told the guys, "You're right; he couldn't afford the car, so I gave it to him." That's how my dad did everybody who needed a leg up. He was the quintessential entrepreneur and loved people more than anyone I ever knew.---Tim McAlpin
JD McAlpin had a very plesant attitude and disposition. He was a wonderfully creative and intuitive guy, who could make things happen! He was in a class of his own! A class Act. ---Frank H. Ikerd lll.
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