Day: April 21, 2024

Samuel Moore Walton, born on March 29, 1918, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, was an American business magnate known for founding Walmart and Sam’s Club. He grew up in a farming family but moved frequently due to his father’s job as a farm appraiser and mortgage agent. During the Great Depression, his family faced financial struggles, leading Walton to take on various odd jobs to support them.

Despite the challenges, Walton excelled academically and became the youngest Eagle Scout in Missouri’s history while attending eighth grade in Shelbina, Missouri. He continued his education at the University of Missouri, where he joined the ROTC and various campus organizations, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1940.

After college, Walton joined J.C. Penney as a management trainee but left in 1942 to serve in World War II. He eventually reached the rank of captain in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps, supervising security at aircraft plants. Following his military service, Walton took over the management of his first variety store in Newport, Arkansas, with financial assistance from his father-in-law. This marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.

With the success of his first store, Walton continued to open more Ben Franklin franchises, pioneering concepts such as offering competitive prices and ensuring well-stocked shelves. In 1950, he opened a store in Bentonville, Arkansas, which laid the foundation for the first Walmart store in 1962.

The first Walmart, located in Rogers, Arkansas, aimed to provide one-stop shopping for customers with a focus on American-made products. Walton’s strategy of locating stores in smaller towns and emphasizing logistics and efficient delivery contributed to the chain’s rapid expansion and success. By 1985, Walmart had grown from 190 stores to 800.

Throughout his career, Walton remained dedicated to his family and community. He married Helen Robson in 1943, and they had four children. Walton and his family were active in their local church and supported various charitable causes. He also integrated the concept of “service leadership” into Walmart’s corporate structure, emphasizing the importance of serving others.

Despite his business success, Walton faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of Hairy cell leukemia. He passed away on April 5, 1992, at the age of 74, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most influential figures in retail history.

James “Bud” Walton, born on December 20, 1921, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, was the younger brother of Sam Walton, the co-founder of Walmart. Their father, Thomas Gibson Walton, worked as a farm appraiser and mortgage agent, leading the family to move frequently during Bud’s childhood. They lived in various places including Springfield, Missouri, Marshall, Shelbina, and Columbia.

Growing up, Bud and his brother worked on the family farm, with Bud taking on odd jobs like delivering newspapers and working as a lifeguard to support the family. He attended David H. Hickman High School in Columbia, where he was active in sports and served as the senior class president. After high school, he attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, before serving as a Navy pilot in World War II, where he met his wife Audrey. They had two daughters, Ann and Nancy.

Bud Walton’s career in retail began alongside his brother Sam in the Ben Franklin Stores, a franchise of Butler Brothers of Chicago. Their venture into retail eventually led to the establishment of Walmart Stores Inc. On April 7, 1983, the first Sam’s Club, named after Sam Walton, opened in Midwest City, Oklahoma.

Apart from his contributions to the retail industry, Bud Walton was also known for his philanthropy. Along with his brother, he donated $150,000 for the construction of the Thomas G. Walton Building, named after their father, which housed the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau. He also donated $15 million for the construction of Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and supported initiatives like the James L. “Bud” Walton Chair of Retailing at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri.

Sadly, Bud Walton passed away on March 21, 1995, in Miami, Florida, at the age of 73, following surgery for an aneurysm. He was laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia, Missouri, leaving behind a legacy of entrepreneurial success and philanthropic contributions.

Biography Video