Assembly Speaker, Jack Shewmaker

We are honored to have had Jack Shewmaker address the Ecclesia College Assembly.  Sadly, he passed away on November 17, 2010, just over two months after he shared a compelling message with the assembly.

Jack enjoyed a long career in retailing. Joining Wal-Mart in 1970, Jack served in several capacities including District Manager; Vice President of Security (now known as Loss Prevention); Vice President of Store Operations; Executive Vice President of Store Operations, Personnel, and Merchandise; President and Chief Operating Officer; and Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer. He was appointed to the Wal-Mart Board of Directors in 1977 and served on Wal-Mart’s Executive Committee. In February 1988, Jack announced his semi-retirement from Wal-Mart but continued to be active in Wal-Mart’s operation as a consultant and member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Board.

During his career with Wal-Mart Jack was active in the IMRA (International Mass Retail Association) and served as a member of their Board of Directors, Executive and Convention Committees. He continued his association with IMRA by speaking at conferences and meetings they sponsored. He was also instrumental in developing VICS (Voluntary Interindustry Communications Standards) which has brought about greater uniformity and efficiency in electronic processing techniques.

Jack’s peers have recognized his abilities and performance, and he was the recipient of several awards. In 1981 he was named the Discount Retailer of the Year; in 1985 he was presented the Retailer of the Year award by Mass Market Retailer magazine; and also in 1985 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree by Southwest Baptist University of Bolivar, Missouri.

Jack was a Board member of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Bentonville, AR. He was a former member of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and a Consultant for Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (1985-1994), North Wilkesboro, NC, the second largest home improvement company in the United States. He was a Director for The Von’s Company, Inc. (1988-1993), Arcadia, CA. He served as a consultant to Wal-Mart; Big W Discount Stores in Sydney, Australia; ALH Australia Limited, Repco and Pacific Dunlop Group in Melbourne, Australia; Edgars Inc., and OK Bazaars, both in South Africa; and Central Stores, Ltd. In Bangkok, Thailand. Published works include the cover article “Master Sellers” for Nation’s Business November 1988 issue and several articles appearing in various issues of MMR magazine, a retail trade publication. Jack was a member of the International Platform Association and traveled extensively honoring speaking engagements across the United States and in other countries including England, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Portugal and Canada. According to Fortune’s current listing of the Ten Most Admired Corporation in the United States, Jack consulted with or spoken to management groups of five of those ten companies.

Jack was involved in several organizations that promote higher education. For several years he was Chairman of Students in Free Enterprise, Inc., Springfield, Missouri. He was Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Drury College in Springfield, Missouri.

Jack was the owner/operator of Jack’s Ranch, one of the area’s largest cattle operations dealing in registered Angus and Polled Hereford breeding stock. Jack’s Ranch does considerable work in the genetic engineering field, is a leader in the cattle breeding industry, has produced national champions in both breeds, and has gained considerable recognition since its inception in 1983. He was a member of the American Angus Association, American Polled Hereford Association, National Cattlemen’s Association and Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association. He was also a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and the American Angus Futurity Boards.

Jack lived in Arkansas with his wife, Melba. He was the father of two daughters and one son, also the grandfather of six granddaughters and two grandsons. Jack traveled extensively and enjoyed snow skiing.