DALLAS (AP) - Southwest Airlines co-founder Herb Kelleher has been remembered as a visionary who thought everyone should have access to low-cost flights.
Kelleher, who died Jan. 3 at age 87, was honored Tuesday during a celebration of life service at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. Numerous employees of Dallas-based Southwest, some wearing their ID badges and uniforms, were on hand.
Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly described Kelleher as a boss, counselor, teacher, cheerleader and a friend. Kelly said Kelleher believed in the “crazy idea” of making air travel affordable for all, not just the rich, and made it happen.
Kelleher was a San Antonio lawyer when a client suggested the idea for a low-fare airline serving San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. Southwest began flying in 1971.
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