Douglas Dayton

Douglas James Dayton (December 2, 1924 – July 5, 2013) was an American retail executive, businessman, and philanthropist and heir to the Dayton's Company fortune who was the co-founder of the Target discount stores chain. Dayton ran Target's operations during its early years and was the company's first president. He started his career at the family company: Dayton's department stores.

Dayton served in the Army during World War II, earning a Purple Heart. After the war, he joined the family business, Dayton's department store. He held various positions in the company, and urged the company to take advantage of the emerging discount store market. In 1960, he became the first president of Dayton's new discount subsidiary, Target. He oversaw the company's expansion until 1969 when he became a vice president of Target's parent company after a merger. Dayton left the business in 1972, forming a venture capital firm in 1974. He retired in 1994 but remained active in charity work until his death in 2013.

Early life Douglas James Dayton was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 2, 1924. He was youngest of five brothers. His father, George N. Dayton, became the president of the family business, Dayton Dry Goods Company, in 1938. The business, which evolved into Dayton's department store, was founded by Douglas' grandfather, George D. Dayton. He promised that the new company would "combine the best of the fashion world with the best of the discount world."

Dayton found he did not like working in administration and left Dayton Hudson in 1972. He spent the next two years leading a team of volunteer executives that helped find ways for the state government to run more efficiently. "The YMCA was like a religion for him," remarked Dayton's son David. He is survived by his wife, Wendy; sons, David, Steve, and Bruce; stepdaughter, Elizabeth; and six grandchildren. His nephew and governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton, called Douglas Dayton "an extraordinary businessman, philanthropist, and leader of our family." Mark Dayton said modesty prevented Douglas from claiming "the public recognition he deserved," but said his contributions had made "an enormous difference" to thousands of employees and customers of Target.