A man who was born in Selma, who had a hand in restoring Selma and a man who will forever have a legacy in Selma has died at the age of 82. Family members announced Monday afternoon that Larry D. Striplin, Jr. had died in Birmingham.

For a man whose bio is nearly too long to publish, the list of those who credit his developmental spirit and vision for restoring and preserving some of Selma’s history is much longer.

“He was a man who believed in coming back to his hometown,” said Nancy Bennett, president of the Selma-Dallas County Historical Preservation Society. “He has left a legacy of appreciation and preservation. Not only was it important for Selma, but as an astute businessman, it was also good for him.”

According to family, arrangements are still being organized and will be announced later.

“Larry Striplin truly loved Selma and he did so much to promote Selma,” Selma Mayor George Evans said. “Larry did a lot of help develop Selma through land that he owned and financial giving.

“He also sent a positive message of Selma when he was in other cities and with other people. There will never be another Larry Striplin in terms of what he meant to our city.”

For now, Striplin’s hometown must come to grips with the loss of a man credited with some of the city’s most notable restorations and developments.

In an article published in the 2011 Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory, Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard said Striplin was the driving force behind the restoration of the historic St. James Hotel.

“He talked Charles Barkley into being a part of this with him,” Ballard said. “We have the St. James Hotel because of him. Before Larry’s involvement it was the nastiest, greasiest falling-down place you’ve ever seen.”

Now the St. James is a popular site with locals who patronize the bar and dining room, and a place to stay and enjoy the past and the present for tourists who roll through Selma.

“It all happened because he made it happen,” Ballard said, “down to the decorations and memorabilia in the lobby.”