<p>MARIETTA, Ga. &mdash; Atlanta philanthropist and businessman A.D. “Pete” Correll, known for leading one of Georgia’s biggest companies and helping to save Atlanta’s public hospital, has died. He was 80.</p>
<p>The Rev. Tony Sundermeier of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta confirmed the death to The Associated Press. Correll died Tuesday at his home in Atlanta after a brief illness, Sundermeier said. Correll, a lifelong Presbyterian, was one of the church’s elders.</p>
<p>Correll was “one of the most visionary and influential philanthropists in the city” and was instrumental in revitalizing Grady Memorial Hospital during a time when there were fears it could close because of financial woes, the church said in announcing the death.</p>
<p>“He served on numerous non-profit boards, and he lived his faith in ways that made us all better,” the church announcement said.</p>
<p>Correll was a Brunswick, Georgia, native who later moved to Atlanta and worked in paper mills before joining paper and materials manufacturer Georgia-Pacific in 1988, <a href="https://www.ajc.com/education/pete-correll-longtime-georgia-business-leader-and-philanthropist-dies-at-80/SUOICSQC4JCUNOO65SQ3TMHOLU/">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a> reported.</p>
<p>“I had always had a very simple premise in my life that I might not be smarter than anybody else, but I can outwork anybody,” he said in a 2014 talk at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta’s northwest suburbs.</p>
<p>He rose to chairman and CEO of Georgia-Pacific in 1993. He later negotiated a $21 billion sale of the company to Kansas-based Koch Industries.</p>
<p>As a civic leader and philanthropist, Correll left a lasting imprint on many Atlanta institutions. He was co-chair of a commission in 2003 that led to the renaming of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to honor the city’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson. </p>
<p>Correll is survived by his wife, Ada Lee; their daughter Elizabeth Richards and son Alston.</p>
<p>A celebration of life is planned for June 2 at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta.</p>