Bell County native Leonard Lawson, who rose from humble roots to build a business empire, has died.

Lawson began working in an entry-level position on a interstate highway project and took the skills he learned in that job and others to build the Mountain Companies, which came to dominate transportation projects across Appalachia.

Lawson’s construction projects were credited with helping open Eastern Kentucky to economic growth when he was inducted into the Kentucky Transportation Hall of Fame in 2000. Some of those projects include the Jenkins Bypass, sections of U.S. 23 and 119, widening projects on I-64 and I-75, and paving of Lexington’s Blue Grass Field.

He also used his success to support philanthropic efforts, offering financial support to Red Bird Mission Methodist Highway, the University of Pikeville and Pikeville Medical Center, including a $300,000 donation to help establish the Leonard Lawson Cancer Center.

Leonard Lawson was 82 years old.