Aire-Master of America founder dies

Jerry McCauley, the founder of Nixa-based Aire-Master of America Inc., died Dec. 26 in Depoe Bay, Ore. He was 79.

McCauley founded the business in 1958 with his wife, Mary Ann McCauley, who died in 2008 at age 73. The couple was retired and had homes in Missouri and Oregon, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

A Springfield memorial service for Jerry McCauley has been scheduled for 3 p.m. Jan. 26 at Life360 Church, 3581 S. Kansas Ave.

This year marks the 55th anniversary for Aire-Master, a manufacturer of odor control and commercial hygiene products that began franchising in 1976. As of November, there were 90 licensed franchises, according to the company's website.

"He was a true pioneer in the odor control industry, developing a true deodorant that kills odors," Jim Roudenis, Aire-Master’s franchise director, said in an email of Jerry McCauley.

Now under the leadership of Doug McCauley, Jerry's son, Aire-Master has in the last few years forged a multi-million deal with national retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and worked with Mercy Research & Development to bottle its Hands First sanitizer product.