A prominent Hall County real estate developer was remembered Friday as being "a good friend" and leader in the community.

Edgar Brown Dunlap Jr. died early Friday morning at his Gainesville home following a brief illness. Friends said he experienced various health problems for several years.

After working in the insurance business and operating an egg farm and poultry supply company, Dunlap went on to establish Dunlap and Associates and, along with his son, David, developed 15 subdivisions throughout Hall County.

"When I met him in college I thought he had a lot of get-up-and-go and I thought he would be successful in whatever he decided to work in," said former Georgia Gov. Carl Sanders, who was a friend of Dunlap since the two met while attending the University of Georgia.

"He was a good businessman," Sanders added.

And he dressed the part of a successful businessman, Sanders recalled.

"He was a debonair-type of individual. He always looked sharp for school or other occasions," Sanders said.

Before his business success, Dunlap joined the Army at age 17 and even turned down an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy to serve in World War II.

"He was quite patriotic. He loved his country" said former Gainesville Mayor Sissy Lawson, who is related to Dunlap.

Those who knew him described Dunlap as a friend willing to volunteer his time for the betterment of the community.

Among his many charitable activities are serving as past president of the Gainesville Kiwanis Club

"He certainly knew the pulse of the community and made a difference," Lawson said.

His uplifting personality was enough to turn anybody's day around, friends recalled.

"He liked to look at life on the bright side," Sanders said. "I never knew him to complain about his illness or physical condition. He took it all in stride."

Many remembered Dunlap's close friendship with Gainesville radio pioneer John Jacobs Jr., who died in November.

As young businessmen, the two lived in the same apartment complex and Dunlap helped lift Jacobs Media off the ground as an original investor.

Jacobs' son, Jay, remembered his father's friend as a "visionary of his time."

"He was a very giving man and contributed so much to this community in different ways through his real estate business," Jay Jacobs said. "This community would not be what it is today without him."

Perhaps Dunlap's biggest passion was history. Friends said he was knew much of the history of North Georgia and even served on the board of directors at the Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University.

"There's a lot of wonderful history stories that he would tell that, growing up as a child, I remember," Lawson said. "He made history come alive because he loved his family, his community and his country."

Dunlap also owned a farm where he cared for several horses. Friends said he was an "animal lover" and was considered an outdoorsman.

During his tenure as governor, Sanders appointed Dunlap to the Georgia Game and Fish Commission.

The two, Sanders recalled, would often fish and hunt together.

Through all his successes and dealings with the community, friends say Dunlap's impact is lasting.

"He was just a great guy and his spirit will remain with us forever," Lawson said.

Sanders agreed and said his impact may not even be fully recognized yet.

"He will be missed in probably more ways than people who knew him will realize," he said.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel in Gainesville will be handling funeral arrangements.