<P> Raymond Albert `` Ray '' Kroc ( October 5 , 1902 -- January 14 , 1984 ) was an American businessman . He joined the Californian chain McDonald 's in 1954 and built it into a nationwide and eventually global franchise , making it the most successful fast food corporation in the world . Controversially , Kroc would present himself as the founder of McDonald 's during his later life . Kroc was included in Time 100 : The Most Important People of the Century , and amassed a fortune during his lifetime . He owned the San Diego Padres baseball team from 1974 until his death in 1984 . </P>
<P> Raymond Albert `` Ray '' Kroc ( October 5 , 1902 -- January 14 , 1984 ) was an American businessman . He joined the Californian chain McDonald 's in 1954 and built it into a nationwide and eventually global franchise , making it the most successful fast food corporation in the world . Controversially , Kroc would present himself as the founder of McDonald 's during his later life . Kroc was included in Time 100 : The Most Important People of the Century , and amassed a fortune during his lifetime . He owned the San Diego Padres baseball team from 1974 until his death in 1984 . </P>
when did the owner of mcdonald 's die
when did the owner of mcdonald 's die
January 14 , 1984
January 14 , 1984