John T. “Jack” Lupton, who helped build Coca-Cola’s largest bottling empire and through his philanthropy led the revitalization of downtown Chattanooga, died Sunday at his home on Lookout Mountain.
He was 83.
A memorial service for Mr. Lupton is scheduled at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain. Arrangements are being handled by the Heritage Funeral Home in East Brainerd.
Mr. Lupton was praised Sunday by civic and political leaders for his generosity and commitment to his hometown. Through his own gifts and those of the Lyndhurst Foundation started by his father, Mr. Lupton was the driving force behind building the Tennessee Aquarium, the Honors Course, the Tennessee Riverwalk and scores of other local initiatives.
“When most had given up on Chattanooga, he saw the great potential of the community that he loved and rallied us around his dream for the city that we enjoy today,” said U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, a former Chattanooga mayor who called Mr. Lupton his mentor and friend. “That he was willing to risk his reputation that his civic endeavors, like the Aqurarium, was an inspiration to us all.”