In Memoriam: John “Jake” Jost

Chris Beytes

John “Jake” Jost, patriarch of Jost Greenhouses, passed away in Des Peres, Missouri in February. He was 88.

Born and raised in South St. Louis, Jake’s career included earning a Ph.D. in Botanical Taxonomy from Washington University. After serving in the Korean War, Jake enjoyed a wide and varied career, working in various nurseries and running a floral shop and landscape business with his wife, Doine Lee. He also spent time in the chemical end of the horticulture business, working for Mallinckrodt Chemical Company and as a consultant for Grace-Sierra.

In 1984, he and his sons Victor and Eric started Jost Greenhouses, specializing in perennials, groundcovers and unique woodies. They now have two locations serving the wholesale landscape industry. Jake had a passion for gardening and propagation, and reportedly made excellent pear preserves and the world’s best potato pancakes. GT