‘He was a legend:’ Longtime Cullman Jefferson Gas Board member James Jett dies
Published 5:00 am Thursday, April 9, 2020
- At the annual Alabama League of Municipalities conference in Montgomery in 2018, Coach James Jett, left, received a 50 year service award for his years as a councilman in Warrior. This is the only person in Alabama to receive this honor from 1968 - 2018. Pictured with Jett is Ken Smith, league director.
Longtime Cullman Jefferson Gas Board member and Warrior Council member James Edward “Coach” Jett, 79, died at his home on Monday night, after a long illness.
Jett served on the Warrior Council for 52 years, which is believed to the be longest term of service of any seated, elected official in the state. Jett was just 27 when he took office in 1968.
According to Warrior Mayor Johnny Ragland, Jett’s legacy with the city will be his love for the city’s children and the park and recreation programs that served them. Over the years, he often went out to prepare the city’s fields himself to ensure they were in “pristine” condition for the kids who used them, Ragland remembers. He was instrumental in getting the ball fields built in the early 70s, according to Warrior Council member Chuck Mosley.
In fact, until health issues began to sideline him two years ago, Jett could often be found at the city’s fields working to keep the facilities in top shape.
Jett’s dedication to the parks and the kids who play ion them led the other Warrior Council members to surprise Jett with a proposal to rename one of the city’s fields “Jett Field.”
Jett himself spent his colliegent career as catcher for St. Bernard College’s baseball team. Ragland remembered him as being “a heck of a baseball player.”
Cullman City Councilman Andy Page served with Jett on the Cullman Jefferson Gas Board.
“We used to play summer league ball against each other down in Blount County,” said Page. “We lost touch, but then spent the last 10 years catching up while serving together. He was a great guy. He was a legend down at the Cullman Jefferson Gas Board.”
Jett’s service to his community wasn’t limited to his time in office, he also served as a coach at Mortimer Jordan High School and Warrior High School, eventually becoming the principal at Warrior High School.
Mosley said he was mourning the loss of his friend and mentor.
“Coach Jimmie Jett’s wealth of knowledge, experience and love for the city can never be replaced,” Mosley said. “ It’s been a real pleasure for me over the last eight years serving Warrior and our citizens sitting at the feet of a man like coach Jett.”
Messmer Goodwin Funeral Home in Warrior is handling Jett’s arrangements. Ragland said the City of Warrior will plan a formal memorial for Jett after the coronavirus danger has passed.
Amanda Shavers contributed to this article.
