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2005 HHS ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
James Whitt

See More Pictures from 2005 HHS Alumni Luncheon

James Whitt was born December 17, 1924 in the southern Tennessee farming community of Blanche to W. W. and Maggie Whitt. His father worked in the local funeral home and later for the telephone company. In 1926 (when James was 1 1/2 years old) the family moved to Haleyville, AL where Mr. Whitt became the local manager for the Alabama Power Co.

James childhood was spent with the country in the grip of the Great Depression. While attending Haleyville High School as an honor student and athlete, he learned to string electrical wire working for his father. When he graduated from Haleyville High School in 1942, World War II was raging. He volunteered for service in the U. S. Army and would spend his next 38 months in service to his country. He was assigned to the 14th Infantry Regiment, 71 Division, serving in the European theater stringing wires all over Europe as the Unite States advanced into Germany. When discharged in 1946, he held the rank of Master Sergeant and served as Communications Chief of the 14th Regiment.

Following discharge from the Army, James enrolled at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University). While a student at Auburn, he met and married his wife of 58 years, Mona Evans (HHS Class of 1945). He received his degree in Electrical Engineering from API in 1948. He began his career with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga and later Memphis, TN.

In 1950, the opportunity came for James to return home. He purchased McAfee Jewelry and began what would be a long and successful business career. Whitt Jewelry is now in its 55th year of service to the Haleyville area. In 1958, another opportunity came his way. Haleyville High School had a vacancy for the position of Diversified Occupations Coordinator. James Whitt was hired and served in this position for three years. His students excelled in the classroom, workplace, and in state competition. They have gone on to successful careers and credit Mr. Whitt for his leadership and encouragement. Several letters were submitted conveying the impact that James has had on their lives then and today. In a letter we received from Coach Bubba Scott, he described the scene at morning recess during football seasons when all of the male faculty, including James, became unofficial members of the coaching staff. He recalled that James and Dr. Boyce Albright made good contributions to these game plan discussions, and that James has always been a strong supporter of Haleyville High School and all of its programs.

In 1961, James Whitt began Whitt Electrical Contractors. Over the next twenty years the business grew to include not only electrical construction, but also plumbing, heating, ceramic tile, utility, and general construction. His companies were involved in commercial, industrial, and medical construction projects throughout north Alabama.

Mr. Whitt's life took another turn in 1964 when he was elected mayor of Haleyville. His four years in this office were marked by great progress and accomplishment. A new modern Post Office was constructed. A major sewer project was completed bringing sewer service to the majority of Haleyville businesses and homes for the first time. Grants were written and approved to provide urban renewal funds for the central business district. The first 911 call in America was made from Mayor Whitt's office. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment came as he took the lead in delicate negotiations between local doctors, county, state, and federal officials that led to the construction of Burdick-West Memorial Hospital (now Lakeland Community Hospital). Also during his term as mayor, the city constructed Haleyville Memorial Stadium (now Herman L. (Bubba) Scott Field) and the Haleyville Lions Baseball Field on the HHS campus.

Throughout the years, Mr. Whitt has continued in his mission to see Haleyville grow and prosper. He built one of Haleyville's first shopping centers, he built and operated apartment buildings, and invested in and operated various business and industrial enterprises.

One can not properly recount Mr. Whitt's accomplishments without mention of his love and service to his Lord. James has taught Sunday School classes for over 50 years. He has chaired building programs at both First Baptist and Corinth Heights Baptist churches. Most importantly, he has shared with countless others his witness for Jesus Christ. In a letter from his current pastor, Brent McDougal, he speaks of how James teaches others how to live a fruitful life using only quiet wisdom and earnest example. Brent tells the story of a project which James initiated and organized to paint the railings at the football stadium. He went on to say that he continually helps his church understand the importance of serving the community in practical ways.

As I read the letters and various information about James, that was the word that kept coming to my mind - service. He has throughout his life shown through word and action humble service to his God and his church, to his country, to his family, to his city and his community. Without taking away anything from any of the deserving men and women who have received this award in the past, I found myself repeatedly asking the question, "What in the world have we been waiting on?" So without one second further delay, it is my privilege to present the 2005 Haleyville Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year Award to Mr. James Whitt.

© 2006 HBTV - Haleyville, Alabama