ATLANTA — Charles Loudermilk, an Atlanta businessman who is credited with helping turn Atlanta into the economic engine it is today, has died at 95, his family announced.
Loudermilk was the founder of Atlanta-based Aaron’s, a furniture and electronics rental business chain.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Governor Brian Kemp said his family was “deeply saddened” to learn of Loudermilk’s death in a statement on Wednesday. In the statement, Kemp praised Loudermilk’s impact on Atlanta as a business owner and developer.
“Few men have contributed so much to the development of our state and capital city, especially the Buckhead community that he loved so much,” Kemp said in a statement. “His influence over the years eventually led to the creation of the Buckhead Coalition and other civic groups and charities throughout the Southeast. Though we join the Loudermilk family in mourning his passing, we are also grateful that his impact on others will continue to be felt not only through his children and grandchildren but also by looking up at the glistening Buckhead skyline.”
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Charles "Charlie" Loudermilk Sr. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/E7VBoHagCb
— Andre Dickens (@andreforatlanta) August 3, 2022
Both Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens eulogized Loudermilk, a Republican, for his ability to work with civil rights activist and politician Andrew Young.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Person dead after being shot near apartments in Southwest Atlanta, police say
- 2-year-old boy shot in targeted attack after leaving barber shop with father, police say
- Police identify the AT&T worker who was electrocuted to death
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Charles “Charlie” Loudermilk Sr. Throughout his life, he remained devoted to ensuring Atlanta is a prosperous, unified and forward-thinking community,” Dickens said in a statement. “From his philanthropic efforts to his work integrating marginalized Atlanta businesses into the larger business community, his accomplishments were many, and his actions matched his mantra of ‘Work hard, dream big.’ My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Loudermilk died after suffering from a stroke, his son, Robert C. “Robin” Loudermilk told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
IN OTHER NEWS:
©2022 Cox Media Group
