Former Vice Chairman of Walmart Dies at Age 66

Tom Coughlin, former vice chairman of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., died on April 1 at the age of 66.

Walmart founder Sam Walton recruited Coughlin in 1978, while he was at Ohio-based supermarket and discount department store chain company, Cook United, according to his obituary.

Coughlin started his career at Walmart as vice president in security and loss prevention and also went on to serve in several positions at Walmart U.S., including executive vice president, chief operating officer, and president and CEO. He also served as president and CEO of Sam’s Club Inc.

He retired in 2005, and later served on Walmart’s board of directors.

On April 1, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon wrote in a note to the company’s officers: “Our hearts go out to the family of Tom Coughlin, who passed away earlier today. Like me, many of you worked with Tom over his more than 26 years with the company. I know firsthand how much he loved our associates and this company.”

Coughlin was also active in the community, according to the obituary. He served on the boards for the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Alien Technologies, Geeknet Inc., Corrective Education Corporation, The Retail Equation, and Balance Inc. He also served as chairman for a program previously known as Students in Free Enterprise, now Enactus, according to the obituary.

A funeral service was held April 9 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Bentonville.