Escambia Commission Honors The Late Jimmy Cunningham Of Molino

April 11, 2021

The Escambia County Commission recently issued a proclamation in honor of the late James David “Jimmy” Cunningham of Molino who passed away earlier this year at age 83.

Cunningham joined 4-H when he was just nine years old and became a member of FFA at age 13. He remained active in both programs through his youth. After graduation from Tate High School and the University of Florida, he spent 43 years at Solutia before his retirement. In the meantime, he spent his life as a farmer and rancher and co-owner of Cunningham Farms. He spent over 35 years as a board member and president of the Escambia County Farm Bureau Federation.

Cunningham worked tirelessly for local youth. He was a founding member of the Gulf Coast Agricultural & Natural Resources Youth Organization (GCA-NRYO) and the Northwest Florida Cattleman’s Association.

“He was very active in helping youth learn about agriculture and livestock and was a critical asset in helping 4-H members acquire facilities for a livestock center,” the proclamation reads.

“Dad fought really hard for the 4-H kids in this county, and the FFA kids,” Jimmy Cunningham’s son Scott Cunningham told the Escambia County Commission. “It was really nice for us to have really the best piece of property in the state of Florida for 4-H programs.”

To read the entire proclamation, click or tap here.

Pictured top: The family of the late Jimmy Cunningham accepts a proclamation in his honor from Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

8 Responses to “Escambia Commission Honors The Late Jimmy Cunningham Of Molino”

  1. Jennifer on April 13th, 2021 10:37 am

    I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Cunningham Monsanto/Solutia.
    At the time, SAP was being implemented and he worked tirelessly to help with the transition. He was presented an award for his efforts too, by the then Purchasing Team Leader (awesome woman).
    Despite the arduous task, he was always kind and cheerful.
    My memory of Jimmy Cunnigham is of his smile, cowboy hat and boots.

  2. CJ Lewis on April 12th, 2021 9:44 pm

    I served on the Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission in the 2009/2010 timeframe with Jimmy Cunningham. In addition to being a fine gentlemen, he was full of common sense. Most of what is written above I did not know so thanks for telling us more about him. He definitely made a difference both in Molino and Escambia County.

  3. William Reynolds on April 12th, 2021 10:38 am

    >>This may be a dumb question, but if he joined 4-H at the age of 9, why did he become a member at age 13?

    That is not what the story says. Read that line again. :)

  4. William Lingo on April 12th, 2021 10:21 am

    This may be a dumb question, but if he joined 4-H at the age of 9, why did he become a member at age 13? It’s seems to me that he became a member at 9, when he joined the organization. Why was he a member at 13 but not at the age of 9 when he actually joined 4-H?

  5. Dale Flowers on April 11th, 2021 9:30 pm

    I had the pleasure and honor of working with Jimmy Cunningham for a decade in 4-H endeavors. He was a good man and worked selflessly for the youth in Northwest Florida. So did his brother, Jacky, and his son, Scott. You’d see Jimmy, Jacky and Scott working and think there were 6 of them.

    God rest you, Jimmy.

  6. Jacky Cunningham on April 11th, 2021 8:02 pm

    Next to my wife he was the best friend I had. He will be missed by many

  7. Sandy Enfinger on April 11th, 2021 1:44 pm

    Very nice! This was well deserved. Jimmy was a huge asset to the agriculture programs. Congratulations Cunningham family!!!

  8. Bonnie Exner on April 11th, 2021 12:22 am

    Mr.Jimmy Cunningham was an asset to his community and was well respected by all…this honor is well deserved.
    .its just a shame that he wasn’t alive to receive it..a lesson can be learned here…show respect and appreciation to those while they are alive.