Walmart Leaders Mourn Loss of Former CEO David Glass

David Glass, who succeeded founder Sam Walton as Walmart’s CEO and led the company to an extraordinary period of growth behind the introduction of the Supercenter and international expansion, passed away Jan. 9 at age 84, his family said.

Glass was Walmart’s CEO from 1988 until 2000, overseeing the rapid expansion of the Supercenter format, which turned the discount department store operator into a formidable grocer, forever altering the trajectory of U.S. food retail. Over his tenure, Walmart grew annual revenues from $16 billion to $165 billion as Glass championed new and innovative technologies to streamline operations and service, connecting Walmart to its stores and suppliers worldwide.

Glass was also a mentor and leader to many who are now leading successful business careers and lives of their own, his family said.

“When we lost my Dad, David provided a steady, visionary hand the company needed to lead it forward. He did so with a deep sense of humility while maintaining the values and principles Dad founded the company on," said Rob Walton, former Walmart chairman and eldest son of Sam Walton. “More than anyone beyond Sam Walton, David Glass is responsible for making Walmart the company it is today. On behalf of the entire Walton family, I want to express our appreciation for David as a leader and as a friend. He will be deeply missed.”

David Glass

Doug McMillon, current Walmart president and CEO, added: "Due to his authentic humility, we think David Glass may be the most underappreciated CEO in the history of business. The choices he made and the results of the company reflect his wisdom, dedication and servant leadership. We will miss him immensely and are eternally grateful."

Glass joined Walmart in 1976 as chief financial officer. A native of Mountain View, Mo., Glass served in the U.S. Army and earned a business degree from Southwest Missouri State University, now named Missouri State University.

Glass began his retail career in 1960 with Crank Drug Co. in Springfield, Mo. He left Crank in 1968 after the company was sold and worked for two other companies, including as general manager of Consumer Markets in Springfield.

Glass was succeeded as CEO by H. Lee Scott Jr. in 2000.

A lifelong baseball fan, Glass was appointed interim chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Royals in 1993 upon the death of then owner Ewing Kauffman. Glass and his family acquired the Royals in 2000 and sold the club last year for $1 billion.

Glass and his wife, Ruth, have three children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A service in Glass’s honor will be held Jan. 27 in Bentonville, Ark.