Robert Lake

Robert B. (Bob, Bobby) Lake, of Moundville passed away on November 16th in Tuscaloosa at the age of 73. Lake, an alumnus of The University of Alabama, grew up in Tuscaloosa and graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1962. After high school, he proudly served in the National Guard. Bob worked in finance for many years in Jackson, MS, New Orleans, LA, and Deland, FL. He returned to West Alabama and took a position at the bank of Moundville. He and his wife raised their four children in Moundville. During his banking career, he became involved in politics, serving on the Moundville Town Council from 1980 to 1984 and as mayor of Moundville from 1984 to 1996. As Mayor, he was integral in the formation of the West Alabama Council of Mayors, designed to help foster cooperation within the different cities and communities across West Alabama. He was instrumental in the founding of the Moundville Jaycees. He attained the honor of Senator in that organization. He used his financial expertise to secure a grant that enabled a revitalization of the downtown area. In 1996, Bob took the reins at the West Alabama Regional Commission and served in that capacity for 21 years. He served the government sector through membership and appointments. Bob was a voting member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and served as secretary/treasurer of the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission and was appointed by Governor Reilly to the Alabama Intermodal Infrastructure Advisory Board. Bob has served as Vice Chairmen of West Alabama Regional Commission; Chairman of West Alabama Regional Commission; member of the Executive Committee of Alabama League of Municipalities; board member of Alabama Municipalities Insurance Corporation; Alabama representative to Development District Association of Appalachia; President of the Alabama Association of Regional Councils; Commissioner, Southern High-Speed Rail Commission and Alabama Intermodal Infrastructure Advisory Board. One of his proudest moments in representing the rural communities while chairman of the West Alabama Planning and Development Council, was when he testified before the United States Senate Subcommittee on rural development. As a representative for rural communities of America his testimony regarded problems and resolutions facing small, rural communities. In 1998, he married Linda Jackson Lake. Bob valued family and considered Linda's kids and grandkids as his own. Bob loved helping and serving others through his involvement in various civic organizations including The Black Warrior Council of the Boy Scouts. He influenced many young men including those in his family. Bob has two sons and two grandkids that have become Eagle Scouts and another one close approaching. Bob was a founding member of the Shelton State Foundation Board and served for 33 years. For many years he served on the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau. He served on the Board of the Bank of Moundville. He was also a Mason and a Shriner. Bob also served on the Board of Directors for the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority; was past vice president of Tombigbee Girl Scout Board of Directors and past president of Tuscaloosa Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. He was chairman of the Administrative Board of Moundville Methodist church; and past chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Extension Service Advisory Board. Bob's honors included the David Cochran Award by West Alabama Regional Commission; Business Man of the Year- Hale County Farm-City program; Northport Citizen of the year, Business 2016. For his work in the community, he was honored by having the Head Start facility in Moundville named as the Robert B. Lake Head Start Program. His proudest honor was being a grandfather. He loved his grandchildren dearly and enjoyed spending time at their activities for the past 23 years. Bob enjoyed red fishing with his family and friends, attending Alabama football games and traveling domestically and internationally. He kept up with the local news through the Wednesday Breakfast Gang where he was joined by Larry O'Neal, Earl Mitchell, John Lollar, Mike Fields, and Bill Walker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert A. Lake and Sara Hamby Lake and infant son, John Patrick Lake. Survivors include his wife, Linda J. Lake; daughters, Jennifer Ann Anderson (Steve) and Sandi McMahon (DJ); sons, Robert C. Lake (Michelle), George A. Lake (Lisa), Paul J. Lake and Michael Massey; sister, Betty Holliman and her children David and Steven; and grandchildren, Sarah Kidwell, Catherine Kidwell, Anna Kidwell, John Robert Kidwell, Grace Anne Lake, Mary Beth Lake, Chace Lake, Garrett Lake, Sydney Lake, Avery Lake; Anna Laura Bigham and Cody Bigham, Parker and Garrett Anderson. Visitation will be Sunday, November 19, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Magnolia Funeral Home South. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday, November 20, 2017 at Moundville Methodist Church. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are: Bank of Moundville Directors and Employees, West Alabama Regional Commission Employees, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Kelley, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Dobbs, Larry O'Neal, John Lollar, Mike Fields, Lenny Fulmer, Earl Mitchell, Thomas Spence, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Pow, Mr. and Mrs. Alton Hyche, Cynthia Burton, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Stripling, Jean Rosene, Phil Poole, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Mathews, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy McCollum, Byron Bigham, Scott Kidwell and the Executive Directors of Alabama Regional Commissions. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in Bob's name to the Moundville United Methodist Family Center.