J.B. Nethercutt, 91, Owner of Merle Norman Cosmetics Los Angeles Times, 9 December 2004 p. B15, 2004b, 1931
"J.B. Nethercutt, owner of one of the nation's leading cosmetic houses, died on December 6, 2004 in Santa Monica. He was 91.
"Born in South Bend, Indiana, on October 11, 1913, J.B. moved to Santa Monica in 1923 to live with his aunt, Merle Nethercutt Norman, after his mother Florence G. Titus, passed away unexpectedly and his father, Carl Corwin Nethercutt, was relocated for business.
"In 1931, Merle-with husband Andrew Norman and nephew J.B. as partners-founded her namesake cosmetic company. On September 3, 1933, J.B. married high school sweetheart Dorothy Sykes, who was the company's second full-time employee. Together, the Normans and the Nethercutts built Merle Norman Cosmetics into a top manufacturer and distributor of skin care and cosmetic products, with franchises throughout the U.S. and Canada."