Donald J. Hall Sr.
Donald J. Hall Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 9, 1928 Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | October 13, 2024 (aged 96) |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College (AB) |
| Occupation(s) | Chairman and majority owner, Hallmark Cards |
| Spouse |
Adele Coryell
(m. 1953; died 2013) |
| Children | 3, including Donald J. Hall Jr. |
| Father | Joyce Hall |
Donald Joyce Hall (July 9, 1928 – October 13, 2024) was an American billionaire businessman, and the chairman and majority shareholder of Hallmark Cards, the world's largest greeting card manufacturer and one of the world's largest privately held companies. Hallmark's headquarters is in Kansas City, Missouri.
Early life
[edit]Donald Joyce Hall was born on July 9, 1928, to Elizabeth Ann (née Dilday) and Joyce Hall. His father was the founder and president of Hallmark Cards.[1][2] Hall graduated from Dartmouth College in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts.[1] He served in the United States Army and spent time in Japan.[3]
Career
[edit]Hall came to Hallmark in 1953 and became assistant to the president in 1954. In 1958, Hall became vice president. In 1966, after Hall served as administrative vice president and member of the board of directors of the company, Hall's father, Joyce Hall, retired as chairman, president, and CEO of Hallmark, handing full control of the company to Hall. In 1986, Hall stepped down as president and CEO of Hallmark, turning those positions over to Irvine O. Hockaday Jr., a native Kansas Citian and national businessman. Hall, however, retained the position of chairman of the board.[1][4] He served as chairman emeritus of Hallmark from 2016 to his death.[3]
Hall was chair of the Hall Family Foundation. He was a founding member of the Kansas City Community Foundation. He helped start the Kansas City Area Economic Development Council. He was credited with locating the 1976 Republican National Convention to Kansas City.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Hall married Adele Coryell (1931–2013) on November 28, 1953. They had three children, including Donald J. Hall Jr. Hall lived in Mission Hills, Kansas.[1][4][5] His wife predeceased him.[3]
Hall died on October 13, 2024.[3]
Awards and honors
[edit]- 1972: Kansas Citizen of the Year[6]
- 1992: Kansas Business Hall of Fame in 1992[7]
- 1995: Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Donald J. Hall". NNDB. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ Ingham, John N. (1983). Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders, Volume 2. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 529. ISBN 0313239088.
- ^ a b c d e Hartle, Sam (October 15, 2024). "Donald J. Hall, longtime Hallmark leader and civic champion, dies at 96". KSHB. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "Forbes profile: Donald Hall". Forbes. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "Adele Coryell Hall". The Kansas City Star. February 1, 2013. p. A10. Retrieved October 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hallmark CEO is named Kansas Citian of the Year". Kansas City Business Journal.
- ^ "Contemporary Honorees". Kansas Business Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". www.achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.
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| Hallmark Media | ||
| Franchises | ||
| Related topics | ||