James Taylor Pursell Day

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama
WHEREAS, James “Jimmy” Taylor Pursell was born on July 3, 1930 in Talladega, Alabama. Mr. Pursell attended Auburn University and graduated in 1952 with a degree in business administration. After graduation, he spent four years in the Air Force as a bombardier/navigator during the Korean conflict; and
WHEREAS, in 1953, Mr. Pursell married the love of his life Christine Parker of Sylacauga. Upon completing his military service in 1956, Mr. Pursell moved to Sylacauga to join his father-in-law Howard Parker’s fertilizer business, Parker Fertilizer; and
WHEREAS, with the help of Mr. Pursell, the Sta-Green trademark became federally registered in 1959 which led to the expansion of the company into other parts of the country. Mr. Pursell became president of the company after his father-in-law died in 1964; and
WHEREAS, over the next three decades, Mr. Pursell grew the operation by building a sulphur-coated urea plant and a POLYON plant. In 1997, the consumer division was sold and the remaining portion of the company became Pursell Technologies Inc.; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, the Pursell family created FarmLinks at their farm in Fayetteville, Alabama. This 18-hole golf course is featured as the world’s first research and demonstration course; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Mr. Pursell helped establish the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International and served on the board for many years. He also served on and chaired the State of Alabama’s Ethics Commission for five years. Furthermore, he has actively supported the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pursell’s initiative and Christian principles have earned him many awards including Alabama Farm-City Free Enterprise Award, Friends of the Extension Award, Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Slater Wright Memorial Award and the Pinnacle Award; and
WHEREAS, it is with the utmost honor and respect that Mr. Pursell is recognized for his significant service and contributions to the State of Alabama and the United States of America:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim July 7th as
James Taylor Pursell Day
in the State of Alabama in honor of his 87th birthday.
Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 5th day of July 2017.
Kay Ivey
Governor