Julius "JL" Leon Below

Dr. Julius Leon (JL) Below, age 94, passed from this world on November 12, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Dottie Lou (Hilson) Below. He is survived by three children, Susan J. Below, Dr. David J. Below (Tonya…), and Dr. Stephen L. Below (Gina Buckelew Below); grandchildren Dr. Julia Below (Dr. Jeffrey Cole), Casey L. (Below) Flynn, Josie L. (Below) Hayes, Buck Below, and Talon Below; and 5 great-grandchildren. Dr. Below was born in Antigo, Wisconsin on December 26, 1927, to Herbert and Elizabeth Below, one of seven children and the last surviving child. He joined the Navy in 1945 and was among the sailors present at the nuclear tests conducted at the Bikini Atolls in 1946 and was the last surviving sailor present at those nuclear tests, as many fellow sailors succumbed to various maladies due to radiation poisoning. After his military service he enrolled in The Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa and matriculated in 1951. He told many stories of the brutally cold winters of Wisconsin, particularly of having to milk the family cow each morning before school. As the only sibling to relocate from Wisconsin, he knew the solution to the brutal winters lay somewhere south of the Mason-Dixon line. Hence, he practiced in Mississippi and Tuscaloosa before opening a successful practice in Cullman in the early 1950’s, which he finally retired from in 1996. Dr. Below was instrumental in getting the Chiropractic Practice Act passed in Alabama. He served as president of the Alabama Chiropractic Association and as president of the Alabama State Chiropractic Board and remained active in the profession until his retirement. Dr. Below was also active in the expansion of commerce and industry in Cullman. As a member of the Flying 50, he was part of a dedicated group of people who strived to recruit industry into the community. Much of the success of the Cullman community is directly attributed to the work of the visionaries of the Flying 50. He served as president of the Lions Club and the Cullman Chamber of Commerce and served on the Cullman City Council. He played an integral role in the building of the Cullman City Football Stadium, through his association with Governor John Patterson and served on the Lewis-Smith Lake Commission, playing an important role in developing the lake and building Big Bridge. He was an avid fan and advocate of golf in the community—from helping to grow the original municipal course to playing a role in developing Terri Pines Country Club. While in his 70’s, he finally got the chance to “shoot his age!” A private memorial will be held with the family.

Julius "JL" Leon Below

December 26, 1927 - November 12, 2022