ROGERS, Ark. — Former Walmart president Jack Shewmaker, who was instrumental in developing the retailer’s everyday low pricing strategy, died on November 17. He was 72.

Former Walmart president Jack Shewmaker, who was instrumental in developing the retailer’s everyday low pricing strategy, died on November 17. He was 72.

Shewmaker joined Walmart in 1970 as a district manager and was named president and chief operating officer in 1978. He is credited with being an early advocate of technology, leading the company’s adoption of bar code scanning and satellite communications. He retired in 1988 but remained on Walmart’s board until 2008.

"Jack Shewmaker had been with Walmart since its earliest days," president and chief executive officer Mike Duke wrote in an e-mail to associates. "He loved this company and gave it his heart as well as his considerable talents. He was a dear personal friend and, though the company will benefit from his contributions for years to come, it is hard to imagine Walmart without Jack."

Shewmaker remained active in business, was a prominent local philanthropist, and served for several years as the chairman of Students in Free Enterprise Inc. (SIFE) in Springfield, Mo.