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Chick-Fil-A Founder S. Truett Cathy Dies at 93 - ABC News
I had an opportunity in the 8th grade to be mentored by Truett Cathy (he taught my 8th grade sunday school class). He actually taught me how to drive. As it turns out, I am a gay man who doesn't share many of the Cathy family's fundamental beliefs, however he told me in the 8th grade that I had three main decisions I had to make as I became an adult. 1) Who is your master? 2) What is your mission 3) Who will be your mate. The 3 M's.
His story of entrepreneurship and philanthropy (and his rags to riches story) is, to me, the heart of what our country was designed to be: a place of opportunity where the wealthy reach out to help those less fortunate and where the value of having strong convictions and beliefs (even if different from those of others) is the key to moral character.
Truett Cathy began his career in the restaurant business in 1946 by opening with his brother an Atlanta diner called The Dwarf Grill, named for the short and stout shape of the restaurant.
He attributed his hardworking nature to growing up poor. Even as a little boy he made money by selling six bottles of Coca-Cola for a quarter
"I've experienced poverty and plenty and there's a lesson to be learned when you're brought up in poverty," he said in 2007. "I had to create some good work habits and attitude."
Even well into his 80s, Cathy was actively involved in the chain's operations.
"Why would I retire from something I enjoy doing?" Cathy said in a 2007 interview. "I can hardly wait to get here." He set up a contract with his children that said they may sell the privately-owned chain in the future but the company must never go public.
I had an opportunity in the 8th grade to be mentored by Truett Cathy (he taught my 8th grade sunday school class). He actually taught me how to drive. As it turns out, I am a gay man who doesn't share many of the Cathy family's fundamental beliefs, however he told me in the 8th grade that I had three main decisions I had to make as I became an adult. 1) Who is your master? 2) What is your mission 3) Who will be your mate. The 3 M's.
His story of entrepreneurship and philanthropy (and his rags to riches story) is, to me, the heart of what our country was designed to be: a place of opportunity where the wealthy reach out to help those less fortunate and where the value of having strong convictions and beliefs (even if different from those of others) is the key to moral character.