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Columbia Theological Seminary honors and gives thanks for the late legendary real estate developer, civic leader, philanthropist, and Columbia supporter Thomas G. Cousins and praises God for the gift of his life. Tom sadly passed this week on July 29.
Tom, with his beloved wife Ann, was a long-time friend and supporter of Columbia as it formed leaders for Christ’s church. The church has been strengthened and enriched by Tom’s passion for the formation of pastors and their ongoing ministries at Columbia and beyond. His esteem for his longtime pastor at Atlanta’s North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Vernon S. Broyles, Jr. led Tom to establish The Dr. Vernon S. Broyles, Jr. Scholarship and then to honor Dr. Broyles through the construction of the Vernon S. Broyles, Jr. Leadership Center that serves as Columbia’s educational hub and provides global reach through advanced technology.
“Tom Cousins was instrumental in the creation of the Broyles Center,” said Richard DuBose, former Vice President of Advancement at Columbia during that period and the current President of Montreat Conference Center. “First, Tom and his family contributed generously. Then Tom inspired others to join him, blending a desire to honor his friend, Dr. Broyles, with a passion for preparing faithful leaders for the church. He would not be deterred, and the building is a testament not only to Dr. Broyles’ legacy but also to Tom’s ability to rally people and resources around a purpose greater than themselves.”
The Rev. Dr. Tom Walker, Columbia alumnus and former Chair of the Board of Trustees, recalls a phone call from Tom Cousins from his room at Mayo Hospital, just down the street from Palms Presbyterian Church. Tom Walker made a visit to the hospital, and the conversation was dominated by Tom Cousins’ concern for the church’s mission and the need for strong, imaginative and resilient leaders.
The Rev. Dr. Laura Mendenhall, who was Columbia’s president during the Broyles Leadership Center Campaign, said, “Tom was a brilliant businessman. He was a man of deep faith, whose desire to follow Jesus led him to be deeply generous. Tom’s faith played a pivotal role in how he used his business acumen. We can be grateful to Tom Cousins for generations to come.”
The Rev. Dr. Scott Weimer is a Columbia Seminary Trustee and was Tom and Ann’s pastor for many years at North Avenue Presbyterian Church. Scott thinks of Tom and Ann as “the ‘real deal’ – a phrase I often used to describe these two remarkable, faithful, and long-term members of North Avenue Presbyterian Church. They were the same people at church, at home, at work, and in their leisure.
“On the occasion of Tom’s death, I join you in giving thanks to God for the legacy of his life, the vibrancy of his faith, and for his and Ann’s commitment to – and influence on – our Beloved Seminary. We also give thanks to God for their indelible and singular influence ‘for the good’ on the development of Atlanta and the entire metro-area, including the East Lake transformation,
and far beyond. May our love and prayers now embrace Ann and the Cousins family in their time of devastating loss and grief. Thanks be to God for Tom Cousins.”
The Columbia community is thankful for all in Tom Cousins that was good and kind and faithful. We are thankful to God that for Tom death is past and pain ended, and that he has now entered the joy God has prepared; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
May God’s peace be with Ann, the entire Cousins family, and all who loved Thomas G. Cousins.
