The road leading up the Lauderdale County Agri-Center bears a new name: Rob Seal Memorial Drive, named after the man who led the center for 17 years and transformed it from a “horse barn” to a busy event center.

Seal died Nov. 1, 2017 at the age of 48.  

“He saw the vision in this building,” A. Otis Seal, Rob Seal’s father, said at the road dedication Friday. “Rob would be honored.” 

Josh Todd, the Lauderdale County supervisor for District 3, said Seal started with nothing more than a horse barn at the center that held events every month or two. Now, he said, the facility has events nearly every weekend.

“He was a big man with a kind, gentle heart,” Todd said. “He put his heart and soul into everything. I wish the county could do more… he deserves a whole more from the county because he gave a whole lot to us.”

The 60-plus people gathered, friends and family of Seal, remembered him as a man who cared for the outdoors, horses and the youth. 

That prompted friends and family to establish a scholarship fund in his name for ten recipients who are actively involved in equine sports or agricultural activities such as 4H. 

“His passion was the youth,” Lisa Pevey, a friend of the family, said. “He had a really sweet nature, a soft voice and he could nurture anybody. But heart was with the youth.”

As the executive director of the fund, Pevey said their biggest fundraiser yet would be held Saturday at the Agri-Center, starting with training barrels at 9 a.m. and a competition at noon. Admission is free for spectators.

“We wanted to carry on his name and remember his life and legacy,” Pevey said. “So people can see the center that he poured his blood, sweat and tears in.”