Jim McGlothlin was a coal magnate, business leader, founder of Virginia’s first casino and philanthropist, but his ultimate legacy will be about helping children, two of those who worked closely with him said following his death on Wednesday.
“Jim’s passion was helping children, particularly children in need,” said Martin Kent, president and CEO of The United Company, which was founded by McGlothlin, who continued to serve as its chairman until his death.
Although McGlothlin wasn’t one to talk about his legacy, he worked over many years to help children, particularly through his work with the Mountain Mission School, a residential school for at-risk children. It’s located in McGlothlin’s hometown of Grundy.
McGlothlin served on the school’s board of directors. In 2022, the school renamed a newly renovated and expanded residence hall as “Fran’s House” in honor of McGlothlin’s wife, Frances McGlothlin, after the couple donated funds for the project.
“Feeding, clothing and educating children and making sure they have the resources to grow up and be successful was really the main focus of the foundation, and that was his main focus personally,” said Israel O’Quinn, president of The United Company Foundation and a Virginia state delegate.
“That’s what he thought about day in and day out was, what can we do with the resources we have to try to make that a reality so that all these kids are set up for success, and then, ultimately, I think the goal was that it makes the region even better,” he added.
McGlothlin, who was 85 when he died, founded The United Company, which stemmed from his coal mining businesses and is now a diversified company focused on energy, hospitality and leisure. It is based in Bristol.
He was a lawyer in Buchanan County in 1970, when he bought a coal company at auction on the courthouse steps.
Kent said McGlothlin’s father, Woody, who was an accountant for a mining complex, told his son many times that he didn’t want him to work in the mining business. After the purchase, he was worried about how his father would react. He told his family during a game of poker.
”They were a close-knit family. They stuck together. They agreed to invest in the coal mine that Jim had acquired, and that was the genesis of The United Company, and fast forward to today, and … we are the majority owner of Hard Rock Bristol,” Kent said. “Obviously, poker is a game of chance that’s played there today, so what began as a poker game for The United Company continues today.” 
From mines to hospitality
It was August 2018 when McGlothlin and a high school classmate, Clyde Stacey, announced they had a plan to bring economic growth to the area and put the vacant Bristol Mall site to good use by developing a casino. At that time, casinos weren’t legal in Virginia.
A lot of people thought the idea would never materialize until they heard that McGlothlin was behind it, officials have said over the years. Kent said he and another employee of The United Company went to Richmond to help work on the legislation along with O’Quinn and other lawmakers from Southwest Virginia.
Although McGlothlin was advised that casinos would probably be legalized by the General Assembly without involving voters, Kent said his boss was always adamant that it be decided by voters in a referendum.
In 2020, the General Assembly approved legislation allowing casinos to operate in five cities pending a referendum in each. It was approved by voters in Bristol and three other cities that November.
In July 2022, a temporary casino, the state’s first, opened in Bristol, followed by the opening of the $600 million permanent casino and resort in November 2024.
McGlothlin and Stacey insisted that all of far Southwest Virginia benefit from the Bristol casino’s revenues, and the General Assembly approved a unique revenue-sharing agreement that means Bristol and 13 other localities share the money.
Kent said it was an honor to work for more than 11 years with McGlothlin, whom he called “the quintessential entrepreneur,” who had an incredible sense of timing that served him well in the business world.
“We always joked that Jim could see around corners and kind of knew when things were coming before most folks,” he said.
McGlothlin founded The Olde Farm golf club, which opened in 2000. In 2010, he hosted a fundraising tournament at the golf club that drew Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer. It raised $15 million for the Mountain Mission School, at the time the largest-ever single-day PGA Tour fundraiser, according to Golf Digest.
Eight years later, he did it again, with a tourney that again brought Nicklaus and Player to Bristol, plus sports celebrities including Peyton Manning and Jerry West. It raised more than $56 million, setting another record.
McGlothlin at various points served on the board of the PGA Tour, CSX and Bassett Furniture. At the time of his death, he was a member of the boards of The United Company Foundation and the James W. and Frances Gibson McGlothlin Foundation, and was a national trustee of First Tee and an honorary trustee of the Medical College of Virginia.
The McGlothlins also were longtime patrons of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond and donated tens of millions of dollars in art and funding for expansions to the institution over the years.
The United Company said in a statement that it will continue to fund the many philanthropic causes close to the McGlothlins, “so that those organizations and many others can be supported in perpetuity.” 
Fried chicken and brown beans
Mike Quillen, a fellow coal magnate during the industry’s heyday, described McGlothlin as a friend of more than 50 years. Quillen started out with Paramont Coal in Wise County, which he said had a lot in common with McGlothlin’s United Coal. Both were owned by locals, and both owners believed strongly in the value of each employee and the success of any venture that comes from a team.
Quillen added that much will be said about his friend’s many business successes and his generosity, but his thoughts Wednesday were on their friendship.
They shared many meals together, and his favorite was when the McGlothlins came to his house during COVID, when he said McGlothlin was dealing with some health issues and had to be very careful.
That night, dinner was served on a card table in the driveway with fist bumps rather than hugs.
“It was a special moment in a difficult time, but a good reprieve and lots of laughs,” said Quillen, adding that his wife, Debbie, served McGlothlin’s favorite meal: brown beans and cornbread.
McGlothlin would sometimes call and ask to meet with Quillen on some subject, which was code for them to slip off together so McGlothlin could get off his normal diet and eat fried chicken and brown beans, he said.
“The region, the state and country will miss all the things Jim has done, which will continue, but I will miss him most as a friend,” Quillen wrote in an email.
In addition to his wife, McGlothlin is survived by three children and six grandchildren.
The region reacts
Reactions to McGlothlin’s death and comments about his legacy poured in from local, state and national leaders, who called his giving and influence on Southwest Virginia “immeasurable.”
Among the tributes:
Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement: “Our hearts are heavy today. Jim McGlothlin’s legacy will forever be felt across Southwest Virginia and the entire Commonwealth. … Alongside his wife, Fran, they used that success to dedicate their time and treasure to changing the lives of countless Virginians. Their commitment to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts enriches the culture of our Commonwealth. Their support for the Mountain Mission School in Grundy provided a beacon of hope to generations of children. Their support for William & Mary and VCU Health enables students to reach their dreams and have a daily impact on patient care and medical training.”
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said he was saddened to learn about McGlothlin’s death, calling him a “figure whose impact is felt in Southwest Virginia. As an instrumental force in the region, many communities and charities in Southwest Virginia appreciated his support. We will continue to think of his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Bristol City Manager Randy Eads said McGlothlin will be “deeply missed” and said the casino would never have happened without him. Southwest Virginia “mourns the loss of one of its most dedicated champions. The passing of Mr. Jim McGlothlin leaves a profound void in our community. He was a tireless advocate for this region and deeply believes in its potential and promise.”
Bristol Mayor Becky Nave said McGlothlin’s “steadfast belief in Bristol and his bold vision helped spark one of the most transformative economic projects in our region’s history. His generosity, leadership and love for this community will continue to shape our future for generations to come.”
