Former Bulls GM Jerry Krause dies at age 77

The architect of the Bulls' championship teams from the 1990's has passed away.

According to the Chicago Tribune, longtime Bulls general manager Jerry Krause died at the age of 77 on Tuesday afternoon.

Jerry Krause, GM of the Bulls for their six title teams, passed away this afternoon at age 77, a member of the family told the Tribune. RIP
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 21, 2017

Krause succeeded Rod Thorn as the GM of the Bulls in 1985 and was an instrumental figure in building both Bulls' three-peat championship runs from 1991-93 and 1996-98 with Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson.

"Jerry was key figure in Bulls' dynasty and meant so much to the Bulls, White Sox and City of Chicago. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Thelma, his family and friends," Jordan said in a statement to the Chicago Tribune.

Krause was a two-time recipient of the NBA's Executive of the Year award during his time with the Bulls.

Krause retired as GM of the Bulls in 2003. He served as a scout with the New York Yankees and New York Mets before rejoining the the White Sox as a scout in 2010 (a position he held in the 1970s and 80s). Most recently, Krause was appointed special assistant in the Arizona Diamondbacks scouting department in 2011.