BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that Tom Coughlin, a former No. 2 executive at the company and protege of founder Sam Walton, died on April 1 at age 66.

Coughlin, a native of Cleveland, went to work at Walmart in 1978 as director of loss prevention. He held several leadership positions and was an instrumental member of the team that built Walmart into the world’s largest retailer.

“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,” Doug McMillon, Walmart’s president and chief executive officer, commented in a note sent to senior executives informing them about Coughlin’s death.

Coughlin had been in the intensive care unit of a hospital for several days, Thomson Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the situation. The cause of death could not be confirmed immediately.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; three children, Kelly, Thomas and Michael Coughlin; a grandson; one brother; and four sisters.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. local time, Saturday, April 9, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1300 N.E. J St., Bentonville, Ark. Visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 8, also at St. Stephen Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Edward High School, 13500 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, Ohio 44107; the Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation, 6518 South Timber Ridge Dr., Rogers, Ark. 72758; or The Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton County, P.O. Box 448, Bentonville, Ark. 72712.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers.  Memories may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.