Ray Kroc

Every entry, with its source

At 0

1. Oct 5, 1902

   Born in Oak Park, Illinois

   To Czech-American parents, near Chicago.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 14

1. c. 1917

   Lied about his age to drive a Red Cross ambulance at 15

   World War I ended before he was sent overseas.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 19

1. c. 1922

   Married Ethel Fleming and moved to Chicago

   Through the 1920s and the Depression he sold paper cups, played piano in bands and dabbled in real estate.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 51

1. c. 1954

   At 52, visited the McDonald brothers in San Bernardino

   He sold milkshake mixers and wanted to know why one restaurant needed eight. He talked the brothers into letting him franchise it.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 52

1. c. 1955

   Opened his own McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois

   As the brothers' franchise agent. He became president of the company the same year.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 58

1. c. 1961

   Bought out the McDonald brothers for $2.7 million

   The brothers named the figure when he pressed them. He was furious, but paid.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 65

1. c. 1968

   Became chairman of the board

   After 13 years as president.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 66

1. c. 1969

   Married Joan Kroc, his third wife

   She later became a major philanthropist.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 70

1. c. 1973

   Golden Plate Award; stepped back from running McDonald's

   From the American Academy of Achievement. He went looking for new challenges.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 71

1. c. 1974

   Bought the San Diego Padres at 71

   He read on his yacht that the team was for sale. It lost 102 games in his first season but still drew a million fans.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 74

1. c. 1977

   Published his memoir Grinding It Out

   It later became the basis for the film The Founder. He became senior chairman of McDonald's the same year.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 77

1. c. 1980

   A stroke, then alcohol rehabilitation

   He entered a rehabilitation facility after the stroke.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 81

1. Jan 14, 1984

   Died of heart failure in San Diego at 81

   He held the title of senior chairman to the end.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org