Former Talladega Mayor Larry Barton died “peacefully at his home” on Wednesday at the age of 85.

Barton served four terms as the mayor of the city where he was from. During his tenure, the city purchased the Ritz Theater, developed a municipal golf course, acquired two city parks, and recruited and expanded over 100 businesses, his obituary said.

He also had other interests outside of politics – he was part of a gospel quartet known as the Pioneers, with whom he produced around fifteen albums. He also “ pursued knowledge with remarkable fervor,” and attended seven universities, including Talladega College, Jacksonville State University, Birmingham School of Law, University of Alabama.

Before his first term as mayor began in 1979, Barton began his career as Vice President of Talladega National Bank. He also worked as a barber and a radio host.

“Larry accomplished many things during his lifetime. He was a force of nature. Once he set his mind to something, he wouldn’t give up until he had succeeded. However, it was his role in my life as my grandfather that I am most thankful for and will miss the most,” his granddaughter, Jessica Nicole Barton Akery, wrote.

Barton’s legacy also came with controversy.

In 1995, Barton was convicted on federal charges involving theft from the city. He lost reelection for a third term because of it, but won again in 2011 when he was released from federal prison.

His fourth term ended with an attack. In 2015, he was beaten with a tire thumper by a friend and his radio show co-host who accused Barton of having an affair with his wife. He lost reelection two weeks later.

The scandal got national attention, with People Magazine chronicling it in a story called, “Septuagenarian Sex Scandal: Seniors Gone Wild.”

Still, Barton was one of the longest-serving mayors in Talladega.

“I have been honored to serve four terms, and there’s only two mayors of Talladega who have served that long,” he said after the election loss. “I count it as an honor. I’ve had a good four terms.”

Larry is survived by his wife Mary Barton, who was by his side when he passed, granddaughter Jessica Nicole Barton Akery (Christopher Akery), two great-grandsons Carter and Chandler Akery, and his sister Edith Bishop.

“Most people think of him as a bit gruff, and I guess that could sometimes be true. However, I’ll always remember the man that bought me a frilly purple dress all on his own. I’ll remember the man that tried to shield me from all of life’s unpleasantness but taught me how to stand up and face it when that wasn’t possible,” Barton Akery wrote.