Wal-Mart heir John Walton no more, dies in plane crash
29 Jun '05
3 min read
John Walton – member of Wal-Mart Board of Directors & philanthropist
World's top online retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc announces the death of John Walton. A Vietnam War hero, member of the Wal-Mart Board of Directors and philanthropist, Walton was killed when the ultra-light aircraft he was piloting crashed shortly after take-off from the Jackson Hole Airport in Grand Teton National Park. The crash occurred at approximately 1:20 p.m. CDT and the cause has not yet been determined. Walton, 58, was the aircraft's sole occupant.
Walton was the second son of Wal-Mart founder, Sam Walton.
As a board member of the Walton Family Foundation, Walton played a leading role in guiding the Foundation's contributions to elementary and high school education, including scholarship programs to provide parents with greater choice in education.
Walton served in the U.S. Army Green Berets as a medic during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Silver Star for saving the lives of several members of his unit while under intense enemy fire.
Walton pursued a variety of business interests throughout his life, including work as a crop duster in the 1970s and as a boat builder in the 1980s and 1990s. More recently, Walton formed the holding company True North, which is composed of businesses ranging from advanced composites to boat building to venture capital investments.
Walton has been a member of the Wal-Mart Board of Directors since 1992.
Walton attended the College of Wooster. He is survived by his wife Christy and their son, Luke; his mother Helen; two brothers, Rob and Jim; a sister, Alice; and their families.
No funeral arrangements have been announced.
Arrangements for John Walton: The Walton family and Wal-Mart deeply appreciate all the calls and messages in reaction to John's death. The Walton family and Wal-Mart deeply appreciate all the calls and messages in reaction to John's death. The family wishes not to receive flowers, but they request that anyone wishing to honor John may do so by making a memorial to one of the following organizations:
Alliance for School Choice 5080 N. 40th Street, Suite 375 Phoenix, AZ 85018 Clint Bolick, President
Children's Scholarship Fund 8 West 38th Street, 9th Floor New York, NY 10018-6229 Darla Romfo, President
Teton Science School PO Box 68 Kelly, WY 83011 Jack Shea, Executive Director
There will be a private service for the family. Cards and notes may be sent to the family at the following address: Walton Family PO Box 1508 Bentonville AR 72712
The Walton family and Wal-Mart sincerely appreciate everyone's concern and outreach during this time.
Wal-Mart became an international company in 1991 when a SAM'S Club opened near Mexico City. Just two years later, Wal-Mart International was created to oversee the growing opportunities for the company worldwide. Since then, the International segment has enjoyed rapid growth and consumer acceptance.
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