It was no secret that Edward A. Maull struggled in the final years of his life. Media reports made it clear that Maull had some difficulties with the law. Wednesday, July 10, Maull passed away.

Today, as we mourn the death of Maull, however, we should remember that this former educator worked for the people of Dallas County. He served in our schools and he fought in our wars. Maull served in Germany, Korea and the Philippines during his tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force.

For the final eight years of his life, Maull served us in Montgomery. No, he may not have represented the views of every person in Selma, but then again, who does? Every day, when the Alabama Legislature met, the gentleman from Selma sat in the seat representing the heart of Dallas County, and for that, we must offer post-mortem credit.

By all accounts, Maull was a man who had a certain compassion for his responsibilities to us. That, of course, is evident in his years of service in the public schools and his years of service in the military.

In his final years, that compassion wore as his body and mind wore. Maull was defeated in his final bid for the Alabama House of Representatives District 67 race, but Maull went down swinging.

Harold Speir, a friend of Maull’s, said he wishes the legislator could have spent the final years of his life reflecting on his work.

“He wasn’t a quitter,” Speir said.

That, any person will tell you, was the truth about Maull. Gov. Don Siegelman considered Maull an ally in the House of Representatives.

“I looked to him for support,” Siegelman said.

When people pass away, all that’s left is their legacy.

Maull may have angered some, but he is not alone. Maull may have been a little unconventional, but thank goodness we’re not all alike.

To the family and friends of Edward A. Maull, we offer our condolences.