Donald J. Hall, the longtime CEO and chairman of Kansas City-based Hallmark, died over the weekend at the age of 96, the company announced Tuesday.
In addition to his 20-year run as a leader at Hallmark, Hall was instrumental in countless civic initiatives across the Kansas City area.
His work lives on through initiatives such as the construction of Crown Center in the late 1960s.
Hall, the son of Hallmark founder J.C. Hall, died on Oct. 13 surrounded by family.
“My father lived our beliefs and values his whole lifetime, and his ability to translate them in a way that others could understand will remain part of his lasting legacy,” Hall’s son, Donald Hall Jr., said. “He truly believed that Hallmark’s purpose was to enrich people’s lives, and you continue to see that reflected in our brand and our people today.”
Hall joined his father’s company when he was 17 years old. He would graduate from Dartmouth College before serving in the U.S. Army, with much of his time stationed in Japan.