James Alexander Cuchens, “Alec,” 50, of Freeport, Florida, died on August 25th.
A descendent of pioneer families of Freeport and Portland, Florida, he was a man of strong faith and compassion and a member of Portland Methodist Church. He graduated from Freeport High School and attended Okaloosa-Walton Community College, but his enduring love for the streams, fields, wooded areas and wildlife habitats developed outside of the classroom. His mentors were his father, James Kaymon Cuchens, Sr., and his former high school teacher Kelly Thomas. With these mentors, he explored nature and learned to appreciate both its beauty and its purpose. He was our family conservationist, and could often be found with camera in hand to record those “perfect specimens.” It was not unusual for Alec to relocate the errant eastern diamondback rattlesnake. To walk with him became a lesson; he noticed, explained, and heightened our knowledge of all things. Alec was a man who knew his way around any task placed before him; he was a diver, a mechanic, a carpenter, a soldier in the U.S. Army, and captain of a river towboat. Never turning away from anyone in need, he gave of himself freely and completely. Of all things that Alec enjoyed in his life, none compared to the joy that he found while working with horses. His spare time was devoted to the training and raising of many horses. With extraordinary patience he calmed many a rowdy colt, soothed the timid mare, and created wonderful equine companions of them all. In honor of Alec’s love of horses and his humble independent spirit as a man, we invite those attending his funeral to wear western attire.
Mr. Cuchens was preceded in death by his father and mother James Kaymon Cuchens, Sr. and Cleo Black Cuchens, one nephew LCpl Daniel Chaires, and one brother-in-law Robbie Prince.
Mr. Cuchens is survived by his wife Lisa Cuchens of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; two sons Brian Alexander Cuchens and Kenneth Wayne Cuchens both of Freeport, Florida; one daughter Erin Elizabeth Cuchens of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; three brothers James Kaymon Cuchens Jr. and wife Kathy of Baker, Florida, Kelvin Eustice Cuchens and wife Gabrielle of Freeport, Florida and Anthony Black Cuchens and wife Emily of Wewahitchka, Florida; three sisters Karen Cuchens Prince of Quincy, Florida, Nanna Harriett Cuchens and husband Harry Chaires of Tallahassee, Florida and Pamela P. Cuchens of Freeport, Florida. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, Aunts and Uncles.
A time of visitation will be held 6:00~8:00 PM, Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at Clary-Glenn Freeport Chapel Funeral Home; 150 East Highway 20 Freeport, Florida 32439. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at the Portland United Methodist Church; 40 Church Street, Portland, Florida with Reverend Anthony Cuchens officiating. Those asked to serve as pallbearers are Don Bozeman, Harry Chaires, Roy Allen Cuchens, Kaymon Cuchens, Todd Chaires and Scott Chaires. Honorary pallbearers are Rosier Cuchens, Eugene Cuchens, Anthony Cuchens Jr., Jacob Cuchens, Ryan Phillips and Jamie Cuchens. Floral arrangements are being accepted. Burial will follow in the Hatcher Cemetery.
[Source: Clary-Glenn.com]
[Burial: Hatcher Cemetery, Freeport]