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Jack Shewmaker, 72

Bentonville, Ark.
– Former Walmart president and vice chairman Jack Shewmaker died last night of
an apparent heart attack. He was 72.

Shewmaker was
instrumental in developing Walmart’s everyday low price strategy (EDLP), which forever
changed the retail landscape, and led the company’s adoption of new
technologies including bar code scanning and satellite systems that linked
stores, distribution centers and headquarters.

He was hired by
Walmart founder Sam Walton as a district manager in 1970, and within the next
decade would variously serve as president, COO, chief financial officer and
vice chairman.

In an open
statement to employees, Wal-Mart Stores president/CEO Mike Duke described
Shewmaker as one of Walmart’s greatest warriors, as well as a mentor and
personal friend.

“Jack was an
extraordinarily gifted merchant and one of my greatest ongoing development
opportunities was to walk stores and clubs with Jack — with him striding ahead
and me taking notes as quickly as I could,” Duke recalled.

The family has
asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to one of the following
organizations:

Jack C. Shewmaker
Memorial, Jack Shewmaker Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) World Headquarters,
1959 East Kerr, Springfield, MO 65803

Northwest Arkansas
Community College (NWACC) Foundation, 1 College Drive, Bentonville, AR
72712-5091

Westark Area
Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1401 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, AR 72901

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