Article: WENDY'S FOUNDER DAVE THOMAS DIES.(NEWS)

Byline: Associated Press

COLUMBUS -- Dave Thomas, the portly pitchman whose homespun ads built Wendy's Old-Fashioned Hamburgers into one of the world's most successful fast-food enterprises, died today of liver cancer. He was 69.

Thomas died around midnight at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the company said.

Thomas had been undergoing kidney dialysis since early 2001 and had quadruple heart bypass surgery in December 1996.

''He was the heart and soul of our company. He had a passion for great tasting hamburgers, and devoted his life to serving customers great food and helping those less fortunate in his community,'' said Jack ...

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