Jimmie Glisson recruited me to work at Seminole Feed from
2002-early 2005, and I won’t tell you it was a cakewalk.
I will tell you it was great. It was inspiring. It was wonderful.
It was big. And it was a huge opportunity. How many hundreds
of stories I could tell about Jimmie Glisson. How much Jimmie
Glisson has done for me. And for many of you, too.
At
his memorial service at First Baptist Church of Ocala, where
he was a very involved member, many friends took to the pulpit
and shared their personal Jimmie stories. We laughed until
our sides hurt and we wiped away tears of joy and sadness.
Then one of the officiating pastors made a request: If we
had ever been inspired to do something – even to change
something in our lives – because of Jimmie Glisson asking
us, or inspiring us to do so, would we stand up?
I
took to my feet immediately. So did nearly everyone in that
massive sanctuary.
Jimmie
Glisson made things happen. His family, his co-workers, and
his community all attest to that.
Today,
we know Jimmie is in Heaven. He was transparent about his
faith and his recommitment to Christ, his Maker and Redeemer,
and Jimmie is enjoying life in Beulah Land. Maybe with train
stations and maybe even with his old dogs, as he mentioned
just before his death.
If
you knew Jimmie Glisson, you’ll remember he was always
early to work – usually at least an hour before the
rest of the gang.
Well,
buddy, here we’ve come full circle. You made it to Heaven
earlier than we’d like, too. If there’s coffee
behind the Golden Gates, would you mind keeping a pot fresh
for us? I’ll see you there.
In Memoriam
James “Jimmie” Glisson of Ocala died Monday evening,
March 10, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville after a four-year
battle with cancer.
The
64-year-old was a fifth-generation Floridian, zealously dedicated
to his family, his church, his friends, and to Florida agriculture.
He retired last year from Seminole Feed as vice president
of sales, though he continued to serve the company as a consultant.
Glisson
was born March 18, 1943, in Jacksonville, and spent his childhood
in Cross Creek. He was a graduate of the University of Florida
and lived in Ocala for more than 35 years.
Known
for his enthusiasm on any topic or conversation – Glisson
dedicated much of his life to promoting agriculture and agricultural
education. He was an agriculture extension agent for 4-H in
Marion County and later agricultural extension director in
Liberty County. He also worked as vice president of the Sun
Bank Agricultural Loan Office before joining Seminole Feed
in 1985. At Seminole, Glisson is credited with growing the
company in multiple ways, but especially by implementing its
dealer program, which now spans four states and includes more
than 150 Seminole dealers.
Glisson
served as manager of the Ocala Bull Sale for 15 years, was
a past president of the Southeastern Livestock Association,
member of the Marion County Soil Conservation Board, Chamber
of Commerce Agribusiness Committee, Marion County Cattlemen’s
Association, and was a past president of the Kiwanis Club
of Greater Ocala.
He was inducted into the Marion County Agricultural Hall of
Fame in 2002, and was inducted into the first class of the
Florida 4-H Hall of Fame, among many other honors and awards.
Glisson’s
hobbies ranged from model railroading to traveling, though
one of his life’s biggest joys was being grandfather
to his grandson, Danny Tankersley.
Glisson
is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Glisson of Ocala;
son James Glisson of Oxford, England; daughter Julie Tankersley
of Ocala; son Tim Glisson of Ocala, grandson Danny Tankersley;
two sisters, Dona Kochman and Susan Walkup, and many nieces
and nephews.
Services
were held March 14 at First Baptist Church of Ocala at 3 p.m.
Interment follwed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Wildwood. In
lieu of flowers, Glisson’s wish was for contributions
to be made to the Danny Tankersley College Savings Account
at Community Bank and Trust in Ocala.
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