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