Tex Hal Earnhardt (December 9, 1930 – April 19, 2020) was an American entrepreneur born in Southern Texas.[1][2] He was the founder and CEO of Earnhardt Auto Centers, an automotive dealership company based in Chandler, Arizona. [3][4]
Early life and education
editEarnhardt grew up around the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. He moved with his family to Chandler in the late 1940s.[5][6] Earnhardt dropped out of school in the 10th grade. [7]
Personal life
editEarnhardt has a daughter, Debra Earnhardt, and two sons, Hal and Jim Babe Earnhardt.[8][9]
Career
editAfter dropping out of school, Earnhardt learned team roping and horseback riding and became a rodeo cowboy.[1][2] After that, started working at his father’s gas station and sold auto parts.[10]
Earnhardt Auto Centers
editEarnhardt set up Earnhardt Auto Centers in 1951 and the company has grown from 1 to 24 dealerships, representing 18 brands, employing more than 2,200 people.[6] According to Automotive News Data Center’s top 125 dealership group data, in 2012, the company sold 19,049 new and 9,793 used vehicles in 2012. [9][4] The company is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, and has dealerships primarily throughout the Phoenix-area, as well as two in Las Vegas.
Philanthropy
editEarnhardt was a financial supporter of several children’s causes, including the East Valley Boys and Girls Club, Child Crisis Center, Make a Wish Foundation, and Head Start. In June 2019, he donated $240,000 to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. [11][12][2]
Death
editEarnhardt died on April 19, 2020, at the age of 89 due to natural causes.[13][8][14]
References
edit- ^ a b "80 years old, and that ain't no bull". archive.azcentral.com. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ a b c "He started out selling 1 car at a time, now his dealerships do 32,000 a year". WardsAuto. 2001-10-01. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ Writer, Dawson Fearnow, Tribune Contributing. "Tex Earnhardt's folksy charm has sold cars for 65 years". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Sostrom, Carolyn (2018-02-23). "Family still at the center of Earnhardt family business". Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ Martinez, Jennifer (2020-04-19). "Iconic Arizona auto dealer Tex Earnhardt dies at 89". FOX 10 Phoenix. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ a b Blufish (2020-04-20). "Tex Earnhardt dies at 89". AZ Big Media. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ Anglen, Robert. "Tex Earnhardt, colorful founder of car dealership empire, dies at 89". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ a b "Tex Earnhardt: From rodeo cowboy to Arizona icon". KNXV. 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ a b "3 generations, 1 plan". Automotive News. 2014-01-20. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ "Tex Earnhardt of Earnhardt Auto Centers has died at 89". AZFamily. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ "Tex Earnhardt Continues Loving On Arizona After Death: ICYMI". Phoenix, AZ Patch. 2020-04-22. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ "City honors Earnhardt Family" (PDF). North Central News. June 2019.
- ^ "Beloved Arizona Auto Dealer Tex Earnhardt Dies At 89". Phoenix, AZ Patch. 2020-04-20. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- ^ "Tex Earnhardt, founder of Earnhardt Auto Centers, dies at 89". 12news.com. Retrieved 2020-09-10.