The Biography of Sam Walton, Founder of Wal-Mart

Around my neck of the woods, you can't find a KMart store anymore. Instead, many people shop for their groceries, as well as for their many other needs, at one of two Wal-Mart Superstores. It is indeed convenient to be able to buy groceries and school clothes, for example, at the same time. And, not too many other retailers can beat Wal-Mart's low prices. With the unparalleled success of this department store, you have to wonder what their secret is. To find that out, you have to look to the biography of Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart.

Sam Walton was born on March 29, 1918 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma on a small farm. When Walton was a young boy, his parents, Thomas and Nancy, decided that the farm wasn't making enough of a profit. So, they packed up their family, sons Sam and James, and they moved to Missouri. Thomas went back to his old job of being a Farm Loan Appraiser.

Although Sam Walton wasn't a gifted athlete, and he didn't have the IQ of a genius, he worked hard to succeed at everything he did. He played basketball and football at Hickman High School in Columbia. He helped his team win the state title in 1935. Walton also studied in school and worked hard to become a honors student. (Walton would continue to use this same determination to become the founder of Wal-Mart.)

He also helped support the Walton family by milking their cow, bottling the milk, and selling it. In addition to that job, Sam Walton delivered newspapers.

Since times were tough, and his family needed the income he could provide, it would have made sense for Sam Walton to quit school and go to work fulltime. But, Walton was determined to finish high school and go to college. So, after graduation, he attended the University of Missouri where he majored in Economics.

Just like he had done in high school, Sam Walton excelled in college. He worked to pay his college tuition and support himself. He was also active in his fraternity, and in other school functions. Walton worked hard to become a member of the National Honor Society.