Kevin R. Wixted, La-Z-Boy Vice President Of Marketing, Dies

Furniture World Magazine

Kevin R. Wixted, 47, vice president of marketing for La-Z-Boy, died today at his home in Northville, Mich., after a long-term battle with cancer. Wixted joined La-Z-Boy in 1993 as director of advertising and public relations. In his eight years with the company, he directed all national advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns. He was instrumental in revitalizing the well-established La-Z-Boy brand as the company continued to expand its product line beyond recliners and reinforce its position as the nation’s leading manufacturer of upholstered furniture. He also oversaw the advertising and marketing efforts of the 300 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries“ stores, as well as the company’s In-Store Gallery stores. He directed the company’s Internet initiatives, establishing La-Z-Boy as one of the most innovative on-line marketers in the furniture industry. Most recently, he added direction of the retail training and education programs to his list of responsibilities. "Kevin was a great marketer with terrific strategic vision," said John J. Case, president of the La-Z-Boy Upholstery Group. "His work elevated the La-Z-Boy brand to new levels and helped position La-Z-Boy as the leading home furnishings company in the country. He also had a great wit that could bring any situation into perspective quickly. He will be deeply missed." Wixted joined La-Z-Boy from Ross Roy, Inc., a Detroit-based full-service advertising agency where he served as vice president-account supervisor on major retail accounts such as Builders Square, The Sports Authority, NBD Bank and Ameritech Publishing. Prior to joining Ross Roy in 1984, Wixted was an account supervisor with W.B. Doner & Company, Inc., of Southfield, Mich., where his clients included Hygrade Food Products, AAA of Michigan and the Detroit Free Press. He was an account supervisor with D’Arcy Macmanus & Masius, Inc., of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., prior to Ross Roy, and worked on the Kirsch Company and General Tire Company accounts. Wixted was a director of the marketing division of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association and a member of the City of Hope National Home Furnishings Industry Leadership Council. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Wixted moved to the Detroit area as a teen and graduated from Brother Rice High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in advertising from Michigan State University in 1976, where he also was a member and president of Theta Chi fraternity. A devoted husband and father, Wixted is survived by his wife Constance (nee Brown); his daughters Caitlin and Claire, and his stepson John; his father, M. Kevin Wixted of Baltimore, Md.; his mother, Ave Wixted of Birmingham, Mich.; his sisters, Eileen Havekost and Sheila Buss, as well as many nieces and nephews. An education trust fund has been established by friends and associates. Donations may be made to: Wixted Children Educational Trust Fund, Michigan Heritage Bank, 21211 Haggerty Road, Novi, Mich. 48375.