But what Jimmy Fussell mostly enjoys recalling are his rodeo days, traveling the circuit in Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and upstate New York, the legendary Cowtown in New Jersey. Grasping onto a suitcase handle device, his free hand for balance, a bareback cowboy and his bronco horse explode onto the rodeo grounds. The ride is so wild that many bronc riders sustain injury, the worst a devastating kick, Fussell says, his eyes smiling at the memory of overcoming such odds, the adrenalinerush moments that canât be cloned. And he did that into his late 30s. Fussell also liked the social side of rodeo cowboying, other tough men conquering their sport. If that wishing well truly existed, heâd live it again in a snap, he says. Other than his two sonsâone a lawyer, the other a rodeo champion in his own rightânothing holds Fussell to a seat easier than talking up his time as a bronc-bustinâ cowboy. Fussellâs advice to those of us staring into our own wishing well? âLike and love what you do,â he says. âIf youâre gonna be a piana player, be the best piana player.â And with that, up he goes, vanishing in the maze of corridors inside Fussell Meats. Jack Collier is the editorial director for Florida Country Magazine.
FUSSELLâS ENTREPRENEURIAL LINE STARTED WITH GRANDFATHER SUMMER BERTELLE FUSSELL.
Jimmy Fussell (above left) has been in the family business from childhood. His father, Lynn, and grandfather, Bert, are pictured (below left) with young Jimmy. Carl McKettrick Sr. and Jimmy Fussell (right) on horseback.
Fussell Meats
2039 SE Carlstrom Field Road Arcadia, Florida 863-494-2112 meatmarketinarcadiafl.com
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BOTTOM LEFT AND BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF JIMMY FUSSELL; ALL OTHER PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE BY JIMMY PETERS
in stirring his memory to action. His father, Lynn, moved things further forward.