James A. “Jimmy” Racine Sr., age 75, of Rosinton, Ala., passed away on Feb.y 17, 2016.
He was a 1959 graduate of Robertsdale High School and was on the All-County Football Team. He served a six-year term in the National Guard.
Jimmy began his agricultural career at the age of 13 by talking his father into buying a few milk cows. He grew the dairy business to a 250-cow dairy, diversified the operation to include beef cattle and farming.
The dairy was dispersed in 2000 but he continued with beef cattle operation and to farm until his death.
Jimmy was selected the 1972 Alabama Farmer of the Year, served on Agricultural Advisory Board for United Bank, on the Board of Directors of the Baldwin County Cattle & Fair Association, past president of Baldwin County Cattlemen’s Association, past president of Baldwin County Dairyman’s Association, a charter member of the Civitan Club and a member of the Baldwin County Planning Commission.
He served on various committees with Farmer’s Federation and was elected USDA ASCA county representative. Jimmy was a charter member and producer for Dixie Region Team Penning. He served on many committees, including chairman of Administrative Board of the Rosinton United Methodist Church.
In 2001, he opened Racine’s Feed, Garden & Supply Inc. with his son, Jim.
He loved sports, horses, dancing, his large circle of friends and a good prank. Although farming and cattle were his work which he truly enjoyed, God and family were his life which he deeply loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, N.A. “Red” and M. Edith Racine; and survived by his wife of 51 years, Lee Gravette Racine of Rosinton, Ala.; three daughters, Cindy L. (Patrick) Garofano of Spanish Fort, Ala., Sherri R. (Hoss) Mack of Silverhill, Ala., Becky (Jonathan) Wells of Rosinton, Ala.; son, James A. “Jim” (Renee) Racine Jr.; sister, Mary E. (Roger) Barnhill Jr. of Loxley, Ala., 11 grandchildren, Katrina and Mark Garofano, Jarrod and James Mack, Kara, Madelyn, Hallie and Whitney Wells, Anna Rose, Jay and Jacob Racine.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at the Rosinton United Methodist Church.
A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 at Mack Funeral Home.
Interment will be in Baldwin Memorial Cemetery, Robertsdale, Ala.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rosinton United Methodist Church, 26011 County Road 83, Robertsdale, AL 36567.
Arrangements are by Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, Highway 59, Robertsdale, Alabama, www.mackfuneral.com.
