PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Members of the Bay County community are mourning the loss of a man who helped shape Panama City Beach.

Local businessman and developer Wes Burnham has died. He was 86 years old.

Burnham moved here from Birmingham in the 1970s and quickly made an impact on Panama City Beach.

He is best known for building the Edgewater Beach Resort, the Edgewater Mall, the Hombre Golf Course, the En Soleil complex on Thomas Drive, and the Marina Landing Condominium near the Hathaway Bridge.

He was also very involved in the community.

Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kristopher McLane said the chamber awarded Burnham its Pioneer Award in 2008.

This is their biggest award for people who truly make an impact in the community.

McLane said Burnham was a family man and really enjoyed watching Panama City Beach grow.

“His legacy to me will always be the nicest guy you can talk to,” McLane said. “Whether you saw him on the golf course or at Firefly’s head table, you could really reach out to him and get to know him. He loved his family, he loved Panama City Beach and he will be missed.

The family has planned the funeral for this Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Church.

Burnham would have turned 87 on February 23.