Just-Star Construction is the entrepreneurial offspring of owner Lee Stalker, carved from a 90-year family history of working with stone.
Lee's grandfather, Charles Stalker, was from Bedford Indiana; the limestone capital of the United States. At the age of 20 he became employed with a large stone contractor with whom he traveled to work jobs in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Palm Beach, and Washington, D.C. Some of his carvings can be seen on the addition to the Capital Building, the National Cathedral, the National Archives, and even a mansion for Al Capone in Palm Beach.
At the start of World War II, Charles and his family came to San Diego to build B-24 bombers. Following the war, Charles resumed his craft as a stonemason, not carving, but building for a general contractor responsible for many post-war housing communities in Point Loma, Clairemont, El Cajon, and Kensington.
In 1952, Charles formed Stalker Masonry Contractors, hired his son, Roger, as a foreman and quickly grew to one of the largest masonry contractors in San Diego. Their notable works include Misson Valley landmark hotels such as the Town and Country, Kings Inn, and the Hanalei as well as the Brunswick Bowling Alley which currently houses the Masonic Temple. The Arizona flagstone veneers on many of the strip malls from the 50's and 60's were cut by Charles' crew.
Upon Charles' retirement, Roger took over as CEO of Stalker Masonry. He was a natural with brick and stone and had a strong sense of design build creativity. The company's primary work was stone veneer, retaining walls, and fireplaces, but Roger designed and built several masonry homes during his career. The signature LaCresta and Flagstone veneers and fireplaces are still notable throughout custom homes in La Jolla, Alvarado Estates, Mt. Helix, Del Mar, and Point Loma.
Lee received a work permit to assist his father and grandfather when he was 10 years old. By 16, he was working as a tender (mason's helper) during the summer breaks. He became a Journeyman Mason in 1972 and Vice President of Stalker Masonry in 1978. He formed Just-Star Construction in 1986 and set the bar of quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction in the industry.