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Sam Walton
From childhood to adulthood, Sam Walton experienced much success through almost
everything he invested his time in. He has contributed in developing one of the most thriving
retail industries through chains of discount stores, Wal-Mart. Through his accomplishments he
became a prime figure of achievement to all individuals.
Sam Walton was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma on March 29, 1918 to his parents,
Thomas Gibson and Nancy “Nannie” Lee. His brother, James was born soon after him in 1921.
While their family resided in Oklahoma, they worked on a farming plantation. Walton’s father
came to the conclusion that their farming lifestyle was not suitable for them because there was no
stable income on which to raise a family (Sam Walton Biography, thefamouspeople.com).
During this time, there was an economic downfall which caused a lot of American families to
lose their jobs and face poverty. Walton’s family was lucky enough to have their father’s previous
job to fall back onto. The family decided to move to Missouri where the father worked as a
mortgage banker. The Walton family moved from to various small town depending upon the
father’s job priorities. Walton always kept up with his school commitments even when while
moving(Sam Walton Biography, woopidoo.com).
While he was in eighth grade in Shelbina, Missouri, Walton was recognized as the
youngest Eagle Scout in the state’s history. Later on, he was announced at a recipient of the
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He was an all star basketball
player in high school and was a quarterback on the State Championship Team. However, even
though Walton succeed in his school life, he still grew up in difficult circumstances and had to
help out with multiple chores to meet the financial obligations of their family. He would milk the
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family cow, bottle the milk in jars and deliver them to customers. Also, he would deliver
newspapers on a paper route and sold magazine subscriptions to contribute to the family’s
income. When he graduated from high school, he was granted an award as the “Most Versatile
Boy(Sam Walton Biography, thefamouspeople.com).” In Sam Walton’s autobiography Sam
Walton: Made in America, he stated ” We learned how much hard work it took to get your hands
on a dollar, and that when you did it was worth something(“Walton, Sam.” Leading American
Businesses).”
Once Walton graduated from Hickman High School in Columbia in 1936, he decided to
stay within the state for college. He choose to attend University of Missouri where he earned a
business degree in economics. While at college, Walton continued to pursue his newspaper
delivery service and also waited on tables at restaurants. The newspaper business he had created
was his first hands on experience with running a business((“Walton, Sam.” Leading American
Businesses).
By 1940s, Walton adventured out to Des Moines, Iowa where he started his first full-time
job as a management trainee at JC Penny Company. While working there, Walton was able to
make $75 per month with his position. During this time, World War II began to take place and by
1942 Walton decided to withdraw from his job in expectations of joining the war. While waiting
about eighteen months to be drafted in, Walton worked at DuPont munitions plant close to Tulsa,
Oklahoma. While stationed there, he met Helen Robson, who he eventually married and had four
children with. Within a matter of time, he was drafted into the military and worked in the U.S
Army Intelligence Corps. His job consisted of supervising security at aircraft plants and
prisoners of war camps. He was placed in Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah while serving.
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During the course of his time serving, he was able to earn the duty of being captain( Sam Walton
Biography, thefamouspeople.com).
When the war ended in 1945, Walton was determined to resume his career in the
retailing industry, but decided this time he wanted to be the boss. He was able to use some of the
money he made and a sum of about $20,000 from his father-in -law to invest in one of the
franchises of Butler Brothers. This franchise was known as the Ben Franklin variety store which
was in Newport, Arkansas(Sam Walton Biography, thefamouspeople.com). Within less than two
decades, Walton with the help of his brother, James(Bud), was able to own 15 Ben Franklin
variety stores. As a franchisee, Walton had to buy his merchandise from Butler Brothers to sell
in his store. He was very displeased about how the merchandise had to be approved by the
company and not begin able to set the prices. So in spite, Walton decided to ignore the Butler
