GULF SHORES, Ala. — While death seems to be a slightly taboo subject, it is nonetheless an inevitable part of life. The question remains: not if, but when; and many would interject that the caliber of memories and deeds left behind jumps to a position of most importance.

One 90-year-old Gulf Shores community leader secured his place in history and hearts, according to those he touched.

Reese Carter Lee died Aug. 13, but continues to live on in his three children, their spouses and eight grandchildren.

A founder of Vulcan Inc., WWII veteran, past chairman of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Gulf Shores Water Board, and former member of the Gulf Shores City Council certainly made civic, business and familial impacts. Son-in-law and Foley Mayor John Koniar said Lee shaped his and many more lives.

“One of the reasons I became involved in government is because he said, ‘if you live in a community, you need to give back to your community,’” he pondered. “Myself, and two brother-in-laws and Vulcan are involved in the community.”

He said that if anyone practiced what he preached, it was Lee.

“He was a self-made man; when he came out of WWII, he had no college but he had a great sense of how to conduct business, Koniar said. “He was conservative and reinvested money in the company — he was very successful.

“It (Vulcan Inc.) was the first business in Alabama to be employee-owned. “All the employees are stockholders and have nice ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership) plans.

“He was a very generous individual, and was tough but always fair-handed and loved people a great deal.”

He said his father-in-law will be remembered for helping so many people.

“The biggest legacy is the 240 employees in the company that were enriched by his foresightedness,” Koniar said, his words touched with an inspired tone.

Lee had a hand in business and community.

“He started the top 10 banquet for the (Foley) high school to recognize academia because he felt academia was sometimes underrated,” he explained. “He did many things behind the scenes for the community.”

Lee flew 31 missions with the 448th Bomb Group, Second Air Division, of the Eighth Air Force in the European Theater, yet he made sure to form close family bonds and he believed in sharing experiences together, Koniar said.

“He was a great lover of family, and thought family was extremely important,” he recalled. “He took us all on many trips; always took the children and grandchildren for a wealth of cultural exposure.

“We (Lee, his three children and their spouses) were going to make one last trip this January. He had planned to go to Chile and Brazil, and down around coast of Africa — he insisted we go if he didn’t make it.”

Jessica Thorpe, a funeral director at Foley’s Pine Rest Funeral Home, said Lee’s character is evidenced by those he left behind.

“His bio(graphy) was compiled by his three kids, together — I have to commend them, they were amazing to work with and were such a united front,” she spoke enthusiastically. “You don’t see that these days.

“The entire family was the most gracious and humble family I’ve probably ever worked with, and I’ve been doing this for eight years and I grew up in the business. It was very inspiring — man, I hope my kids are like that.”

Koniar is happy to have a tightly knit family, but things will be a little different now, he admitted.

“He was chairman of my board at Vulcan; it’ll be strange to go into that building and see his office empty,” he said. “He had a good ride — we’re all happy for him and sad for us.”