BENTONVILLE — Jack Shewmaker, a former Walmart executive and well-known philanthropist, died at his home Wednesday night. He was 72.
Shewmaker, who lived in Bentonville with his wife, Melba, worked at Walmart from 1970 until his retirement in 1988 and sat on the company’s board of directors from 1977 to 2008. He became president and chief operating officer of the company in 1978.
“He loved this company and gave it his heart, as well as his considerable talents,” Mike Duke, Walmart president and CEO, stated in a news release. “The company will benefit from his contributions for years to come.”
Shewmaker was instrumental in developing Walmart’s Every Day Low Pricing strategy and led the company in the adoption of bar codes, the release stated.
The Shewmaker family is also known for its philanthropy throughout the region.
The Shewmakers donated $1 million for equipment and instruments needed to complete the Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School in 2000.
“Jack was one of those people who not only helped us with the development,” said Gary Compton, Bentonville School District superintendent. “He was just one of these giants in the community who meant a lot to a lot of people.”
Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas received a $1.75 million donation from the family for the implementation of technology for Mercy’s diagnostic departments in 2007.
“Jack’s committed service and genuine, unwavering support of Mercy made him a very valued friend and partner in our ministry,” Lynn Britton, Mercy Health System president and CEO, stated in a news release. “Jack always emphasized the importance of community collaboration. He vested himself personally in relationships across Mercy and on behalf of Mercy.”
The family also donated $1 million to the NorthWest Arkansas Community College Foundation in 2002 for development of the Shewmaker Center for Workplace Readiness and another $2 million in 2007 for the building of the Shewmaker Global Business Development Center on campus.
Shewmaker was a member of the board of directors for the Sisters of Mercy Health Systems and an honorary member of NorthWest Arkansas Community College Foundation’s Capital Campaign. He was also an advocate of the Students in Free Enterprise program. He was serving as an executive board member for the national organization.
“He was not just honorary,” said Jill Wagar, the college’s associate vice president for development, about Shewmaker’s role at the college. “He was on campus for all of our meetings. He always started our meetings with a student testimony.”
Saira Fraire, a member of Students in Free Enterprise at the college, said Shewmaker always made time to speak with her when he was on campus.
“When I would tell him about my projects he always encouraged me,” Fraire said. “He would tell me about the ideas he had and how no one believed him. He told me not to let any one tell me the story, but to be the teller of the story.”
Fraire gathered with more than 50 other students and community leaders on Thursday for the college’s Jack Shewmaker Business Leaders Lecture Series. The series was started by Shewmaker in 2004 as a way to connect students to the corporate world.
A rose and candle sat on the podium during the presentation as a way to remember Shewmaker.
“Mr. Shewmaker was a gentleman of service,” said Adam Arroyos, the college’s vice president of public relations, in an opening statement. “He was about excellence.”
Becky Paneitz, college president, was unable to attend the lecture, but commented on what Shewmaker meant to the college.
AT A GLANCE
Jack Shewmaker’s Service
Throughout Jack Shewmaker’s life he served on many boards in the region and across the country. These include:
• Board of Directors of Walmart
• Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Clinic
• Board of Directors of Sisters of Mercy Health System
• Executive Advisory Board for Westark Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America
• Consultant to the Board of Directors and executive management of Woolworths Limited in Australia
• Chairman of Students in Free Enterprise Inc.
• Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Drury University in Springfield, Mo.
• Honorary member of NorthWest Arkansas Community College Foundation’s Capital Campaign
Source: Staff Report
“Jack’s fingerprints are all over this college,” Paneitz said in an e-mail she sent to faculty, staff and students Thursday. “His mission was to make sure residents of this community could participate and benefit from the opportunities here in Northwest Arkansas and his successes were immeasurable.”
Many who knew Shewmaker say he never passed up an opportunity to encourage others to achieve excellence, but his last public speech was unlike other messages he had given.
Wagar, also president of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, said the organization honored Jack and Melba Shewmaker with the Lifetime Philanthropic Achievement award during a luncheon in Rogers on Wednesday.
“He talked about how much he loved his family and the community,” Wagar said. “His last public words were, ‘We love all of you.’”
Ed Clifford, a former Walmart employee and now president of the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, worked with Shewmaker while he was president of Walmart. Clifford also attended Wednesday’s luncheon.
“Jack gave a very different speech than I have heard him make in the past.” Clifford said. “It was almost like he knew what was going to happen. Most of the people I know that were at the lunch said the same thing.”
Shewmaker was also recognized internationally as an executive consultant and owned one of the largest cattle operations in Northwest Arkansas. He bred and showed registered Black Angus cattle.
Services for Shewmaker will be held on Monday at Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas in Rogers.