John Fuqua

Inducted 1993

J.B. Fuqua began life at a disadvantage. His mother died, and his farmer father couldn’t raise a baby; so he was adopted by maternal grandparents, who farmed tobacco in Prince Edward County, Virginia. By age 14, he knew he wanted more out of life than being a farmer.

An early interest in radio led to his buying and selling of radio and TV stations, as well as other real estate. He also held elective state offices. In 1965, he gained control of a brick and tile company, renamed it Fuqua Industries and turned it into a $2 billion conglomerate. Fuqua’s famous “Three C’s” have served him well — Capacity, Capital, and Courage.