CULLMAN, Ala. – When the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce gathered Thursday, March 26, for its annual gala, one of the evening’s highest honors was presented in memory of a man whose work, character and quiet leadership helped shape Cullman for generations.
On his behalf, the family of James Timothy “Tim” Scott received the 2026 Lucille Galin Public Service Award, recognizing a lifetime of service that left a lasting imprint on the community.
Scott, who passed away Feb. 20, 2026, at the age of 60, served as manager of the Duck River Reservoir and played a central role in developing and enhancing one of Cullman’s most significant long-term projects.
“Tim was a dedicated advocate for our community, and his leadership at Duck River Reservoir played an important role in developing and enhancing one of Cullman’s most valued outdoor resources,” the City of Cullman said in a statement after Scott’s death. “His efforts helped expand recreational opportunities for families, outdoor enthusiasts and visitors, and his work will continue to benefit the community for years to come.”
The Duck River Reservoir stands as both a critical water source and a growing recreational destination, a place where infrastructure and quality of life meet. For many in Cullman, it is also where Scott’s legacy remains most visible.
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said Scott’s impact extended beyond his work and into the lives of those who knew him personally.
“Tim Scott was a friend. My children were in his wedding. He was a good, kind, caring, trustworthy, honorable person and I loved him and his family,” he said. “He carried that same passion and reliability to his civic involvement and oversight of Duck River. Every person in Cullman County benefits from Tim’s work and I am honored to recognize his role in improving our quality of life with the Lucille Galin Award.”
Scott’s influence extended well beyond a single project.
He worked alongside farmers through Resource Conservation and Development and the Cullman County Soil and Water Conservation District, supporting agricultural efforts and conservation practices across the region. His connection to the land was not simply professional. It was personal.
Those closest to him often said his happiest moments were spent in the chicken houses, a reflection of both his work ethic and his deep roots in Cullman County through Scott Farms.
His commitment to the community carried into decades of civic service.
Scott was a member of the Cullman Lions Club for 38 years and served more than 25 years on the Cullman County Fair Board, contributing his time and energy to organizations that support families, agriculture and community life.
Former Cullman Economic Development Agency Director Dale Greer said Scott played a critical role in the long-term success of the Duck River project.
“Tim Scott was one of the most significant people in the completion of the Duck River project that provided our community a 75-year water supply,” he said. “As a farmer himself, Tim assured landowners and those with agriculture interests that a backup water supply was a protection to their way of life, not a threat. He continued working monitoring the lake, performing water quality testing and helping landowners in the watershed.”
Scott is survived by his wife of 26 years, Jessica Scott, and their children, Arleigh Grace, Zane and Kadie Scott, along with extended family members who remained central to his life.
Those who knew him remembered a man who valued hard work and passed those values on.
He believed in work – hard work – the kind that ensured his family could carry forward what he built, whether in the fields, at home or in the community.
Though he held many roles throughout his life, one of his favorite titles was simple.
An Auburn dad.
The Lucille Galin Public Service Award, one of the Chamber’s highest honors, recognizes individuals whose service has made a lasting and meaningful impact on Cullman.
As the Chamber presented this year’s award, the recognition reflected more than a lifetime of accomplishments. It reflected a legacy built through service, rooted in family and carried forward in the people, places and community Scott helped shape.
The award traces its roots to Lucille Galin, a longtime city and county clerk whose decades of work helped shape local government and set a standard for public service.
Over time, the honor has come to represent a broader measure of leadership and commitment, recognizing individuals whose influence extends beyond a single role or project. Recipients are often those whose work quietly strengthens Cullman through sustained service, civic involvement and long-term impact.
