Forrest Mars Jr. of candy empire dies

Associated Press

SEATTLE

Forrest E. Mars Jr., who helped shape Mars Inc. into a multibillion-dollar confectionary empire with beloved brands such as M&M’s and Snickers bars, has died. He was 84.

The retired Mars co-president died Tuesday in Seattle of complications after a heart attack, the company said. He was living in Sheridan, Wyo., at the time of his death.

With his brother and sister in 1973, Mars inherited the company from their father, Forrest E. Mars Sr. Their grandfather started the company more than a century ago, making and selling butter-cream candy from his kitchen in Tacoma, Wash.

Mars joined the company in 1959 as a financial staff officer for M&M Candies.