Joseph Edward McCarron Jr. died during the pre-dawn hours of Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, while sleeping.
He was a loving father to more than his own children and an adored grandfather to his seven grandchildren, Kelsey McCarron, Chandler and Rose LeGault, Malcolm and Ryan McCarron and Caitlin and Garrett Baker.
Joe, as he was known to most, was born March 20, 1938 and raised in Mobile. He attended Little Flower Elementary School and McGill High School before spending two years in the Navy. Upon leaving the Navy, he attended and graduated from Auburn University with an electrical engineering degree.
Joe, Sally and at that time, three children, lived in Houston, Winter Park, Fla., and Atlanta, before moving permanently to Orange Beach in 1972. With no experience at all, Joe and Sally bought an old fishing lodge and turned it into a legendary establishment known as the Gulf Gate Lodge. He set out to make the city, now known as Orange Beach, into the paradise he always knew it could be. A two-term city councilman and longstanding member of the planning commission, he was an advocate of the building of many of the parks, civic buildings, fire and police stations, along with many other improvements to his city.
The inaugural president of the Orange Beach Sports Association and founding member of the Restaurant Association, later known as the Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, he was involved in almost every aspect of his city until his death.
Joe was loved and respected by all that knew him and will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph McCarron Sr. and Carlotta McCarron and a sister, Monica Payne.
Survivors include his wife, Sally N. McCarron; five children, Joseph (Jerry Ann) McCarron III, Monica (Lawrence) LeGault, Michael (Bonnie) McCarron, Kevin (Claire) McCarron and Patrick McCarron.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Foley.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Orange Beach Fire Department, or the Orange Beach Parks and Recreation Department.
Arrangements are by Pine Rest Funeral Home Inc., Foley.
