Glenn Robertson was remembered Friday as a man who made a difference and stood up for what was right.

Robertson, LaGrange’s first black city councilman and a leader in business, civic and community life, died Thursday at West Georgia Medical Center. He was 84.

“A tall tree has fallen, and he’s one we shall miss,” said the Rev. Willie T. Edmondson, who bought Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home from Robertson six years ago and followed him as LaGrange’s second black councilman.

Robertson was remembered by Edmondson and other current councilmen as someone who worked for everyone in LaGrange - not just blacks - and was a man of his word.

“He stood up for what was right and fair for all,” Edmondson said.

Mayor Jeff Lukken called Robertson “LaGrange’s great statesman.”

“Glen was loved and respected and a friend to everyone in town,” Lukken said. “The big guy was always looking out for ‘the little guy.’ When I heard his booming voice and I saw his contagious smile, I knew he was coming to talk to me about someone in La-Grange who needed a hand.”

Born in Odessadale in March 1925, Robertson moved to Mount-ville at age 3 with his parents, Henry and Annie Belle Moss Robertson. He attended school in Mountville and often walked to LaGrange to shop and play ball, he told county historian Clark Johnson in a 2007 interview.

LaGrange City Councilman Bobby Traylor knew Robertson in his youth, when Traylor’s parents owned a Hines Street cafe and Robertson delivered milk there in the 1940s.

“He’s been a part of our family from that time on,” Traylor said.

Robertson worked for Dunson Mill during World War II and later became the first black lineman for Georgia Power Co. He left the utility company after three years when he was asked to transfer to south Georgia, saying he didn’t want to leave LaGrange, Johnson said.

A talented athlete, Robertson played baseball with the City Cats, a black semipro team from his teenage years until age 39. He was the last surviving member of the team.

He founded Arrow Cab Co. and operated it for many years. In 1957, he and James Dunson bought out the portion of Hunter-Allen-My-hand Funeral Home that served black customers and formed Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home.

An entrepreneur, Robertson also owned the downtown Blue Goose Cafe, changing its name to Ruth’s. It’s that image of Robertson that is preserved forever on the Lafayette Plaza mural; Robertson is shown in front of the Blue Goose. He also owned the Princess Theater on East Depot Street, which he later closed, leasing the building to the state Department of Family and Children Services.

Robertson won the city office in 1970.

“If you see fit to elect me as your city councilman, I promise that I will work with all people in trying to make LaGrange an even better place in which to live,” Robertson told the Daily News after securing the Democratic primary victory that year.

Many believe he made LaGrange a better place.

“He made a difference,” said Troup County Commissioner Richard English, who said he was influenced to seek office because of Robertson.

“I met Glenn when I moved to LaGrange in 1964,” English said. “He was a fine fella. If he could help you out, he would.

Traylor says he tried to emulate Robertson when he himself was elected to City Council.

“He was a man of his word and he did what he said,” Traylor said. “He influenced a lot of people and he was always a gentleman. We’re going to miss him.”

Robertson retired from council in 1995, and the name of Ogletree Street was changed to Glenn Robertson Drive in his honor at that time.