Born in 1924, Jimmy was a typical boy of his time in many ways, helpful on his father’s farm and obsessed with hunting and fishing. He was atypical, however, in his respect and love for his Black friends, who included his father’s farm manager and his wife, Jack and Rachel Clark. He was aware of segregation and followed rules such as parting from his best friend, A.D., on the train and at the theater because A.D. had to sit in the section designated for Black patrons. He cherished the lessons he learned from his friends, especially Rachel Clark, who not only taught him moral lessons but educated him about the local flora and fauna.

Jimmy’s ambition from childhood on was to attend the Naval Academy, a dream he realized with the help of a local Congressman. He eventually married a woman, Rosalynn, from a nearby farm in Plains. He remained in the Navy for seven years, ultimately returning to farming in George before entering politics. An Hour Before Daylight provides little insight into his adult life, remaining focused mostly on his reminiscences of his boyhood.