J. B. Fuqua

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J.B. Fuqua (pronounced "few-kwa") (June 16, 1918 – April 5, 2006) was a businessman, philanthropist and chairman of The Fuqua Companies and Fuqua Enterprises.

Born John Brooks Elam, Jr. in Prince Edward County, Virginia and raised on a small tobacco farm, Fuqua formed a number of successful business conglomerates; and, after listening to WRVA from an early age, pursued his interest in radio by earning his commercial operator's license at age 17.

As an adolescent, Fuqua educated himself by requesting books from the Duke University Library to be mailed to his farm. He credited Duke's lending program with enabling him to learn about business techniques, and demonstrated his considerable gratitude to the university by donating $10 million to create its business school, The Fuqua School of Business. His giving to Duke totalled almost $40 million. He is an honorary alumnus of Duke.

Another of Fuqua's philanthropic projects was the Fuqua School in Farmville, VA, formerly the Prince Edward Academy. His gift of $10 million in 1993 and a subsequent donation of over $2 million were pledged with the goal of transforming the school from a small private institution on the verge of bankruptcy into a model for rural PK-12 education.

From the 1950s to the 1990s, Fuqua developed a sizable business empire: including Snapper lawnmower dealerships and multiple media outlets, among them a TV station with his initials - WJBF-TV in Augusta, GA.

Fuqua was active in politics for much of his life. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate, and he chaired the Democratic Party of Georgia from 1962 to 1966. He also was a close friend and supporter of presidents Jimmy Carter and Lyndon B. Johnson. Mr. Fuqua was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2002.

He is survived by his widow, Dorothy Chapman Fuqua, a noted philanthropist in her own right and a son J. Rex Fuqua. Another son, Alan, was killed in an airplane crash in 1970 at the age of 18. His great grandfather, John Fuqua, is credited with founding the town of Fuquay-Varina.

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