AAP
Australia's corporate, sporting and arts communities are mourning the death of high-profile businessman James Strong.
The 68-year-old former Qantas chairman died on Sunday in Sydney following lung complications after undergoing surgery.
He has been remembered as a greatly respected businessman who showed passion and vision.
His family released a brief statement, saying he would be profoundly missed by many.
"A beautiful man and a great loss," their statement said.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce described Mr Strong as a giant of Australian aviation, having led the merger of Australian Airlines and Qantas in 1992.
Three years later, he oversaw the privatisation of Qantas.
"James was an adventurer, a philanthropist, and a great supporter of Australian culture and sport," Mr Joyce said in a statement on Monday.
"Most of all, he was a gentleman, whose personal qualities made him greatly respected, admired and loved.
"For me personally, James was a great mentor, and a great example of corporate leadership. He will be sadly missed."
Mr Strong served as Qantas chief executive between 1993 and 2001, and joined the board in 2006.
At the time of his death, Mr Strong was chairman of outdoor goods retailer Kathmandu Holdings and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He had also served as chairman of both Woolworths and Insurance Australia Group.
Kathmandu chief executive Peter Halkett said he was very sad to lose his chairman and mentor.
"I was always able to count on his full support during some challenging periods that Kathmandu has experienced as a public company," he said.
Australian Institute of Company Directors managing director John Colvin described Mr Strong as "one of the outstanding business leaders of his generation".
Tributes also flowed from the sporting world, led by the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 local organising committee chaired by Mr Strong.
"We will continue the work he began on the World Cup and deliver a tournament in 2015 that would make him proud," ICC Cricket World Cup chief executive John Harnden said.
Formula One driver Mark Webber said Mr Strong would be missed.
"Sorry to hear the news that James Strong has passed away. He was very special towards my junior racing career. Great guy. Will be missed," he wrote on Twitter.
The arts community was also in mourning, with the Australia Council paying tribute to Mr Strong's ability to blend business acumen with a love for culture.
Mr Strong was a former chair of the Australia Council and a director of several arts groups including Opera Australia and chair of the Sydney Theatre Company.
"He was a great friend to Australia's artists and a distinguished cultural leader," current chair Rupert Myer said.
ABC managing director Mark Scott also posted his condolences.
"Saddened to hear of the death of James Strong. Captain of industry, advocate for the arts, adventurer, gentleman, and wonderful bow-ties," he tweeted.
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