Owen Robertson Cheatham

Owen Robertson Cheatham
Born	Template:Birth date Concord, Campbell County, Virginia, U.S.
Died	October 24, 1970(1970-10-24) (aged 68) Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
Occupation	Entrepreneur
Known for	Founder of Georgia-Pacific

Owen Robertson Cheatham (1902–1970) was an American entrepreneur who founded Georgia-Pacific, a prominent producer and distributor specializing in tissue, pulp, paper, and related items. Georgia-Pacific was listed on the New York Stock Exchange from 1949 until its 2005 acquisition by Koch Industries.

Early life

Born on July 9, 1902, in Concord, Campbell County, Virginia, Cheatham was a member of the New Concord Presbyterian Church located in Concord.

Career

Cheatham launched the Georgia Hardwood Lumber Co. in 1927, which later became known as Georgia-Pacific, with its headquarters situated in Augusta, Georgia. Under his guidance, the business expanded into a $750 million corporation with assets surpassing $1 billion. It emerged as a global leader in producing and marketing tissue, pulp, paper products, and dispensers. The company remained publicly traded from 1949 until it was acquired by Koch Industries in 2005.

Personal life

He was married to Celeste Wickliffe Cheatham, who was recognized for her collection of thirty-seven Dalí-Jewels pieces, eventually displayed at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. Cheatham passed away from a heart attack on October 24, 1970, while attending a football game in Eugene, Oregon, and was interred at New Concord Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Legacy

His memory is commemorated through the Owen R. Cheatham Memorial Garden and Monument at New Concord Presbyterian Church. The Owen Robertson Cheatham Gallery at Dartmouth College bears his name. Furthermore, Cheatham Grove—a tract of ancient Redwood trees within California's Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park—was donated by him in 1945 as part of Georgia-Pacific’s timber assets.