How can one begin to describe the man or what he meant to our county and state? James Ray possessed the soul of a poet and artist, but his heart and mind was consumed with a desire to preserve the people we were and are, and the places we inhabited from birth until death.
James earned his B.S. degree in pharmacy at Auburn, graduating in 1949. But, he had another job to do before he started practicing his profession. He served in the navy and marines from 1950 to 1954, and was awarded the Bronze Star for an act of heroism.
He was known throughout the state for his devotion to the cause of historic preservation. He was the co-founder of Landmarks of DeKalb County in 1969. He was the spark plug for the organization, and supplied the oil that kept the wheels turning. His dedication to the preservation of history will live for as long as there is a citizen of DeKalb County. He served as the founding president of the organization he so dearly loved, and was vice president for over 30 years. For his dedication he received a number of awards from Landmarks, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is now named for him.
Kuykendall helped to produce every Landmarks publication, and for 20 years edited the prize-winning Landmarks News. He was instrumental in getting many homes and buildings placed on the Alabama Register of Historic Homes and Places, and some have been added to the National Register. He was also responsible for the erection of many of the historic markers in DeKalb County, and led the efforts to establish three historic districts in Fort Payne.
On the state level, James was an active member of the Alabama Historical Association, attending all of their annual meetings except one for the past 35 years.
He was honored by being selected president of the organization. For eight years he chaired the committee which chose the recipient of the most outstanding local historical association award, which is now named the James Kuykendall Award.
In l982 James Ray chaired a committee of pharmacists to establish a pharmaceutical museum. He traveled to every pharmacy in the state that had been in business 50 years or more. He helped author a book detailing the history of pharmacy in Alabama, and the museum is located on Hull Street in the historic district in Montgomery. For these accomplishments he received the Bowl of Hygia, pharmacy?s highest award.
On a local level, the awards and honors of this special man are too numerous to name as he not only used his talents to promote Landmarks, but was active in many other organizations: The Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Jaycees, the DeKalb County Tourist Association, which he served as president, and where he used his influence to establish DeKalb County?s first welcome center. He was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Fort Payne Rotary Club, and served as president of that organization in 1991. That same year he was elected district governor and served with distinction in that capacity. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
James was a loving and mentoring father and grandfather to his two children, Leonard (“Len”) and Lucia, his two grandsons, James William Colin Biddle and Arthur Joseph Graeme Biddle, and one granddaughter, Sarah Lynn Kuykendall. He and his wife, Ruth, shared a special bond during their long years of marriage.
He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Payne, rarely missing a service. He served as a deacon for 28 years. The man will be missed but his legacy will live forever.