James Gordon ‘Jimmy’ Waldrop

Published 10:19 pm Friday, January 16, 2009

James Gordon ‘Jimmy’ Waldrop

Funeral services for James Gordon “Jimmy” Waldrop, 80, of Vinemont will be 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home Chapel, the Rev. J.W. Hicks officiating, with interment in Cullman City Cemetery.

Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Waldrop died Thursday, Jan. 15, at Cullman Regional Medical Center. He was born Aug. 6, 1928, in Morgan County to Thomas Oscar and Levi Patterson Waldrop.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, Crant Waldrop, Kent Waldrop, Tom Waldrop and Edison (Snow) Waldrop.

Mr. Waldrop spent his entire life in Cullman. He was a longtime business person and key developer of Cullman.

In 1954, Jimmy and Bill Smith became partners in a used car business. After getting their first dealership, the name of the business was officially “Smith and Waldrop” and it remained that until January 2000. Jimmy and Bill Smith shared a 44-year partnership, and to quote Bill Smith, “It was a great partnership and they never had a cross word over business.”

You never knew that Jimmy had reached out to help someone in need unless you were the someone he helped. He wanted no publicity for helping people, but it was a big part of his personality. Jimmy was about serving his country and his town, Cullman.

His affiliations included: President of Alabama Automobile Dealer Association, Assistant to Director of Conservation for the State of Alabama under Jim Folsom’s administration, active in the state and national Democratic Party levels, past member of the Lions Club, and member of Anon Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie Washburn Waldrop of Vinemont; three sons, James “Jimbo” (Patti) Waldrop Jr., Tommy (Terri) Waldrop, and Myles Waldrop; a daughter, Connie Waldrop; a brother, Charley (Frances) Waldrop; two sisters, Sue (James) Reehl and Robbie Cook; four grandchildren, Jarad Waldrop, Magda Waldrop, Taylor Waldrop and Kyle Waldrop; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Connie’s House, c/o Margaret Jean Jones Center, in Cullman.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.