Cruisers Yachts’ Previous Owner K.C. Stock Dies at 84

Longtime Cruisers Yachts owner Kenneth Charles Stock passed away on November 28, 2022, leaving a long legacy of entrepreneurship and community involvement. Born April 6, 1938 in Oconto, Wisconsin, Stock was an entrepreneur from an early age, purchasing his first contractor yard, Stock Lumber, in 1971. After exponential growth, he later purchased his hometown boat company Cruisers Yachts, investing in the company and community to promote local growth.

“The one statement that best describes K.C., is his love and commitment to the employees at Cruisers Yachts,” says Mark Pedersen, president of Cruisers Yachts. “Anytime he would visit, he would first ask how many team members were working and then walked the floor to visit with them.”  It’s in keeping with one of K.C.’s favorite quotes “You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with.” 

Cruisers Yachts enjoyed tremendous growth over its 28 years with Stock at the helm, and in May of 2021, he sold the company to MarineMax, Inc. with the promise to keep the company and community thriving. Throughout his life, Stock prioritized giving back to the community, and started the K.C. Stock Foundation to help those in need, making the lead gift to start the Children’s Hospital in Northeastern Wisconsin at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

Even in death, he encouraged others to continue the legacy and donate to one of his favorite charities, the HSHS St. Vincent’s Foundation, which provides Christmas presents to all the children in the Pediatric Oncology Unit. To donate, visit giving.hshs.org/svsm/Donate.