LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 19, 2013) — Donald W. Webb, co-founder of The Webb Companies, died Friday at Baptist Health Lexington, according to local news agencies. The 74-year-old died of complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis disease.
The following biographical information is from The Webb Companies website:
Donald Webb was born and raised in Eastern Kentucky. He began his career while attending law school as a special assistant to the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Economic Development, Industrial Development Division. Upon earning his law degree, Donald accepted a position with the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders in Washington, D.C., before moving to Louisville to practice law.
In 1971, he partnered with his brother Dudley to establish the law firm Webb & Webb in Lexington, which was the start of a long and prosperous collaboration. At the same time, the brothers began investing in real estate and discovered a passion and talent for development. The next year, they founded The Webb Companies, which went on to develop nearly 5.5 million s.f. of office, warehouse, residential and retail space in Fayette County.
Donald has served as chairman of Commerce Lexington and the Fayette County Democratic Party, and as the Kentucky chairman of the American Cancer Society. He also was the primary founder of the Lexington Trolley Company and the Downtown Lexington Corp.
Donald was a member of the board of directors of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, visiting committee of the University of Kentucky College of Law, a director of the Business Partnership Foundation of the University of Kentucky College of Business and Economics, a UK fellow, and former national director of the Kappa Alpha Order Education Foundation.
Throughout his career, Donald has served on numerous bank boards, governmental commissions, charitable and business organizations, including the boards of the Kentucky Economic Development Corp., Central Kentucky Blood Center, Fayette County Medical Society Foundation, Kentucky Horse Park Commission, Leadership Kentucky, “The Nest” Child Abuse Center, Lexington Economic Development Commission, Lexington United, Humana Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Triangle Foundation, Fund for the Arts and First Security National Bank and Trust Co.
He attended the Virginia Military Institute and holds degrees from Georgetown College and the University of Kentucky College of Law. He is a member of the Fayette County, Kentucky and American Bar Associations.
After retirement, Donald spent most of the year with his wife in Vero Beach, Fla., while maintaining a part-time residence in Lexington. His son, developer Woodford Webb, serves as president of The Webb Companies.
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