Remembering Tom Cousins: A Life of Determination and Generosity

Tom Cousins, a trailblazing real estate mogul and dedicated philanthropist, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance, hard work, and generosity. Born to a hardworking-class family in Georgia, Cousins drew from his childhood experiences, which involved taking on various jobs from a young age, to instill in himself the values of determination and hard work. These early lessons shaped his career, from working his way up at Knox Homes to co-founding his own development company, Cousins Properties, which became one of the nation's leading real estate investment trusts.

Key Takeaways:

• Tom Cousins was born in Georgia to a hardworking-class family and spent his childhood moving from town to town across the Southeast.
• At the age of 8, Cousins began holding neighborhood jobs, including mowing lawns and working as a lifeguard, which reinforced his belief in the importance of determination and hard work.
• Cousins graduated from high school and initially enrolled at the University of Georgia to study pre-med, but after a hospital rotation, he changed direction and pursued a career in business.
• He launched his real estate career in Atlanta in 1954 and quickly rose through the ranks at Knox Homes, becoming its top salesperson.
• With only $2,500, Cousins co-founded his own development company, which expanded into commercial real estate and developed iconic buildings in Atlanta, including One Ninety-One Peachtree Tower, Bank of America Plaza, and the Omni Sports Arena.
• Cousins Properties was named National Developer of the Year in 1997 and grew into one of the nation's leading real estate investment trusts.
• After retiring, Cousins dedicated himself to philanthropy, particularly focusing on revitalizing Atlanta's inner-city neighborhoods and expanding educational opportunities for at-risk youth through his family foundation.
• One of Cousins' most impactful initiatives was the transformation of The Villages of East Lake, a comprehensive redevelopment project that included new housing, a YMCA, a youth golf program, and the founding of a charter school.

Statistics:

• At the age of 8, Cousins began holding neighborhood jobs, including mowing lawns and working as a lifeguard.
• Cousins graduated from high school and initially enrolled at the University of Georgia to study pre-med.
• He launched his real estate career in Atlanta in 1954.
• With only $2,500, Cousins co-founded his own development company.
• Cousins Properties grew to become one of the nation's leading real estate investment trusts.
• Cousins Properties was named National Developer of the Year in 1997.
• The Villages of East Lake comprehensive redevelopment project included new housing, a YMCA, a youth golf program, and the founding of a charter school.

Sources:

• The Horatio Alger Association
• The Horatio Alger Association mourns the loss of Tom Cousins