fruit-of-the-loom-rick-medlinRick Medlin, president and CEO of supplier Fruit of the Loom, Inc. (PPAI 133342), passed away of natural causes on November 27. He was 68.

In a statement, Fruit of the Loom’s leadership team says, “Rick was a special leader and a special person. He was extremely proud of the progress and success we have shared in the last six years. We owe it to his legacy and honor to continue taking this company forward in accordance with his vision. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Medlin family at this time of loss.”

Medlin was named president and CEO of Bowling Green, Kentucky-based Fruit of the Loom in 2010. He had previously served in a number of other roles within the company, including executive vice president of operations, senior vice president of manufacturing and vice president of textile manufacturing. Prior to joining Fruit of the Loom, Medlin had held a number of positions at NRB Industries and Milliken & Company.

The company will name an interim CEO in the coming days.

Medlin is survived by his wife, Janie; son, Jay Brandon Medlin; daughter, Jenna Medlin Nelson and her husband George Bernard Nelson, Jr.; three grandchildren—Riley Augusta Medlin, Kielen Richard Medlin, and Rhein Walker Nelson; and sister, Patti Medlin.