Cal Turner

Cal Turner
Born	Hurley Calister Turner May 28, 1915 Macon County, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	November 20, 2000 (aged 85) Scottsville, Kentucky, U.S.
Occupation	Businessman
Spouse	Laura Katherine Goad
Children	Laura Dugas Cal Turner Jr. Betty Campbell Steve Turner
Parent(s)	James Luther Turner Josephine Marcum

Hurley Calister "Cal" Turner (May 28, 1915 – November 20, 2000) was an American businessman. He was the co-founder of Dollar General alongside his father.

Early life

Cal Turner was born on May 28, 1915, in Macon County, Tennessee.[1] His father, James Luther Turner, was a traveling salesman who, during the Great Depression, found success selling-off store inventories before the stores had to close down.[1]

Business career

Turner co-founded J. L. Turner & Son Wholesale with his father, J.L. Turner, in Scottsville, Kentucky, in 1939.[1] It later became known as Dollar General, a chain of dollar stores.[1] He listed it on the New York Stock Exchange in 1968.[1] He retired in 1989.[1] By the time of his death, it had "4,800 discount stores in 25 states."[1]

Philanthropy

Turner endowed the Turner Family Scholarships for Dollar General employees in 1999.[2]

Personal life

Turner married Laura Katherine Goad.[1] They had four children: Laura Dugas, Cal Turner Jr., Betty Campbell, and Steve Turner.[1][2] His wife predeceased him in 1988.[1]

Death

Turner died on November 20, 2000, in Scottsville, Kentucky.[1]

References

1. Martin, Douglas (November 20, 2000). "Cal Turner, 85; Founded Dollar General". The New York Times. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
2. "Cal Turner Program For Moral Leadership in the Professions: Cal Turner Jr.: Chairman, Cal Turner Family Foundation". The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Retrieved November 9, 2015.