Family and friends will gather today to remember a man who served for nearly four decades as mayor of Demorest.
Malcolm Hunnicutt of Demorest died Thursday, Sept. 24.
“He dutifully served us for nearly four decades,” a statement from Demorest Mayor Rick Austin reads. “His vision and foresight was unprecedented, building a water system that would not only serve our city, but in many ways, our entire county. It is that vision and leadership that enables our city to deliver unmatched services to our residents today.
“On behalf of the city, we express our heartfelt condolences to his family,” Austin’s statement reads. “Our prayers for peace and comfort are offered for both family and friends.”
In 2014, Hunnicutt was honored with the Georgia Municipal Association’s Lifetime Service Award.
The award, in recognition of Hunnicutt's 39 years of service to the city, was presented during the GMA district meeting in Gainesville.
"Mayor Hunnicutt demonstrated his love of his hometown through his many years of generous service to its citizens," GMA Executive Director Lamar Norton said at the time. "Demorest is fortunate to have that kind of dedicated leadership, and GMA and Georgia's cities are also grateful to have seen the example he set for all city leaders.
Demorest accomplishments during Hunnicutt's term of service, as noted by GMA, include updating the city's code of ordinances; constructing a pedestrian bridge over Historic Highway 441; expanding the city's water system to serve 60 percent of Habersham County; building two water tanks; upgrading the city-owned cemetery; and improving relations with Piedmont College, the city's largest property owner.
“Under Hunnicutt's leadership, the city designed and built new downtown streetscapes, reconstituted the downtown development authority and planning commission, annexed the county's medical center, renovated a city shop into the new police station, and began construction of a new wastewater treatment plant," a GMA statement reads.
Former Demorest City Councilman Bruce Harkness, a Habersham County commissioner-elect, reflected on Hunnicutt and his service.
“He was a fine man, awesome father of two great sons, good husband of Gwen for many years and a former teacher,” Harkness said. “He helped this city and this county probably as much as any other individual in the last 100 years. He was my friend and I loved him like a brother and I will miss him dearly. Please pray for his family. He will be missed greatly.”
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. today at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest. Burial will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from noon to 2:45 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
