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In Memoriam: David Glass

Kansas City RoyalsJust months after selling the Kansas City Royals to a group of local investors led by John Sherman, David Glass has passed away on Jan. 9 at the age of 84 of complications associated with pneumonia.

Glass served as President and CEO of Walmart Inc. from 1988 to 2000, during a time when the retailer experienced extreme growth.

Growing up a St. Louis Cardinals 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 it was at that time that he began his second career, a career in baseball, at age 64.

During his ownership of the Royals, Glass was an active member in Major League Baseball and served on key committees within the Major League organization. Glass was the Chairman of the Board of MLB Advanced Media, a member of Major League Baseball’s Executive Council and a member of MLB Enterprise and Finance Committee.

Glass was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in July 2000, where he served as a member of the Pension and Audit Committees.

Dayton Moore, Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager for the Royals, said the following via press release:

“Mr. Glass loved this game, this team and our city with all his heart. He cared deeply for our fans and for the future of baseball. But above all, Mr. Glass placed an emphasis on putting family first which is what he stressed to our entire organization. We are forever grateful for his humble and supportive leadership, and we are beyond blessed that we were a part of his incredible life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his very special family.”

A native of Mountain View, MO, Glass served in the U.S. Army after graduating high school from 1954-56. After leaving the Army Glass earned a business degree from Southwest Missouri State University, now named Missouri State University, in Springfield, MO.

Upon graduation Glass began his retail career in 1960 with Crank Drug Company in Springfield. He left Crank in 1968 after the company was sold and worked for two other companies, including serving as General Manager of Consumer Markets in Springfield. In 1976, Glass was recruited by Walmart founder Sam Walton to become Walmart’s Chief Financial Officer.

Glass was named President and CEO of Walmart in 1988 and served in that role for 12 years. During his term in that role, Glass guided the company through a period of growth both in terms of revenues and expansion including retail acquisitions, expansions including new retail formats and significant international expansion.

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