ATLANTA — Memorial services will be held in Atlanta on Thursday for Bernie Marcus, the billionaire co-founder of The Home Depot whose philanthropy left a major impact on Atlanta civic life, from the city's Jewish community to numerous medical institutions to the Georgia Aquarium.
Marcus, who with Arthur Blank co-founded The Home Depot in 1978, died Tuesday at 95 years old.
His services will be held at The Temple on Peachtree Street starting at 1 p.m., and they will be open to the public. Among the speakers will be Blank, other Home Depot executives and founding figures, and Marcus' son and stepson. It will stream at The Temple's website here.
Flags are also flying at half-staff at the Georgia Capitol and around Fulton County on Thursday in honor of Marcus, by order of Gov. Brian Kemp.
Marcus' family says he loved medical research, Israel and Jewish causes, and veterans. So, in lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the following organizations:
- RootOne
- Avalon Action Alliance
- Marcus Autism Center
- Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center at Grady
- Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital
- Israel Democracy Institute
- Marcus National Blood Services Center
More on Bernie Marcus
Also known later in life for his political activity as a Republican Party megadonor, Marcus was The Home Depot's chairman until his retirement in 2002.
Marcus was born in New Jersey, the son of Russian immigrants, and his opportunity did not come easily or early. He was 49 years old in 1978 when he lost his job as CEO of Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers.
But his next step would change the home improvement business by creating a huge warehouse-style store that stocked everything at low prices. Just months later, Bernie and Arthur Blank moved to Atlanta and founded The Home Depot with help from friend and investment banker Ken Langone. Now, almost 50 years later, The Home Depot is a world-class Fortune 500 company.
He didn't stop there. His success in business carried over to philanthropy. Since its founding in 1989, The Marcus Foundation has given over $2.7 billion through more than 3,500 grants, transforming hundreds of organizations in Georgia.
On Tuesday, Blank issued a statement on the passing of his friend: "I am heartbroken at the passing of my dearest friend, Bernie Marcus. Today, I’ve lost a father figure, mentor, brother and business and life partner. While this loss is profoundly painful, I am grateful for the close to 60 years we spent together, navigating challenges and celebrating successes, and I am honored to have been part of Bernie’s remarkable life."
The Home Depot also issued a statement saying the company family is "deeply saddened by the death of our co-founder Bernie Marcus."
"We owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Bernie. He was a master merchant and a retail visionary. But even more importantly, he valued our associates, customers and communities above all. He’s left us with an invaluable legacy and the backbone of our company: our values," the statement said. "We offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Billi, and the entire family. He will be missed."
Gov. Kemp called him an "icon of the business world who created jobs and opportunity for generations of The Home Depot employees" whose "considerable philanthropy will also reverberate through history, touching lives for the better."
Marcus' name is seen all over metro Atlanta. The Marcus Community Bridge program at Shepherd Center, the CDC Marcus Emergency Operations Center, the Marcus Stroke Center at Grady Memorial Hospital, and the Marcus Autism Center are all among the medical institutions bearing his imprint.
Marcus donated to several charities and Jewish organizations, and a $250 million grant helped open the Georgia Aquarium in 2005.
"People often ask me why the Foundation exists," a statement on the Marcus Foundation website by foundation President Jay Kaiman says. " This is really the most amazing story—the Foundation is an extension of their character and core beliefs. The Marcus Foundation represents who and what Bernie is all about, it’s a living testament to Bernie’s values."