S. Lee Pake

Tuscaloosa AL- S. “Lee” Pake, a longtime resident of Tuscaloosa and an Alabama native, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2024 at Hospice of West Alabama. A graveside service will be held on Monday, February 19th, 2:30 pm, at Tuscaloosa Memorial Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Jacobs. There will be a visitation afterwards at Indian Hills Country Club starting at 4pm.

Survivors include wife Penny Burroughs Pake of Tuscaloosa; sister Jean Tashlick (Larry), Navarre Beach, FL; sons Lee Pake (Wendy) of Mooresville, NC, and Kevin Pake of Tuscaloosa; grandsons Reed Pake of Mooresville, NC, Graham Pake of Charleston, SC, and Jack Pake of Tampa, FL; stepchildren Mims Ebelhar (Shane) of Fairhope, AL and Stacy Hall (Jonathan) of Nashville, TN; step grandchildren Brantly Ebelhar and Rich Ebelhar.

Lee was born on November 25, 1940, in Montgomery, Alabama, to parents Julia Sternfeld Pake and Siegfried Lee Pake. Lee graduated from Sidney Lanier High in Montgomery AL and then went on to graduate from The University of Alabama. Lee served in the US Navy. Since the early 1960s, Lee worked in the Real Estate business in Tuscaloosa. Lee was involved in all aspects of the Alabama Homebuilders Association, including holding top leadership positions. In 1998, Lee was voted Homebuilder of the Year and, in 2003, was inducted into Alabama Homebuilders Hall of Fame. Lee was a member of the West Alabama Appraisers Association and an Emeritus member of Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors. Lee was well known in the Tuscaloosa business community for more than six decades. Lee was a leader in affordable housing in Tuscaloosa, helping people realize the American Dream.

Lee’s love for Tuscaloosa was evident to everyone he came in contact with. Lee would welcome new business owners in town and he always tried to help them succeed. Lee, with his happy-go-lucky attitude, never met a stranger and lived his life on his own terms. There are many stories spanning many years that illustrate how Lee helped folks around town; and in his humble generosity, he never took credit for these acts of kindness.

Lee had several passions over the years, from swimming in the early mornings, stamp collecting, garage sales, Alabama sports and playing cards with his buddies. Lee will be greatly missed by many and will always be remembered for his sharp intellect, compassion for others, and quick sense of humor.

Pallbearers will be Reed Pake, Graham Pake, Jack Pake, Shane Ebelhar, Archie Bird, and Jonathan Hall.

Honorary pallbearers are friends at Indian Hills Country Club 19th Hole, Billy Boyd, Doug Hollyhand, Hugh Underwood, Wilbur Manderson, Senator Richard Shelby, Robert Register, Dr. John Ferguson, Mark Booth, Tommy Burroughs, Cliff Cedar, and Alabama Home Builders Association.

The family wishes to express its appreciation to the DCH ICU and all the doctors and staff at Hospice of West Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama, Tuscaloosa Community Soup Bowl, or the charity of your choice.