The City of Locust is in mourning after the loss of former council member and community leader, Joel Huneycutt last Friday. Huneycutt had been battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, for several years.
“In the face of his diagnosis, Joel continued to display strength, courage, dedication, and faith for which he has long been admired,” said Mayor Scott Efird in a letter sent to residents and the community.
Huneycutt graduated from N.C. State University in 1964 and went on to serve on several Boards of Trustees, retired as President of Locust Lumber Company, and served as a Sunday school teacher and deacon at his church, First Baptist Church in Locust.
“Joel has been a very important part of this community for many years and the loss of this great man is difficult to bear,” said former city administrator James Inman.
Huneycutt served on the committee that helped establish Locust as a city and was elected on the first city council to represent the city’s citizens in 1973 and ended his last term in 2011.
Huneycutt received the Stanly County Chamber Business Award Citizen of the Year in 2010 and also received the honor of having the Town Center community room named after him in Locust.
“As I mourn the loss of my friend, I choose to remember his dazzling smile, his boundless love, and the unfailing faith that Joel demonstrated every day of his life. Joel has been an important part of my life and the life of this community, and we will never forget him,” said Efird, “I pray that we will all honor Joel by following his example: to live with honor, integrity, love, and passion for service.”