Record also served as president of several local organizations such as the Alabama Space and Rocket Center, State of Alabama Historical Commission, Madison County Historical Society, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks Lodge, Burritt Museum, YMCA, Woodmen of the World, Alabama Association of County Commissioners, First Baptist Church Huntsville, and the Madison County Mental Health Association and numerous civic organizations.

James Record is recognized for his honest, effective leadership from the 1940s to the 1980s in the development of Madison County, Alabama.

Record was involved in most efforts to fund and build many of Huntsville's downtown civic buildings including the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library, the Von Braun Civic Center, Alabama Space and Rocket Center, Constitution Hall, Huntsville City Hall, and the Madison County courthouse.

Record served as the fund-raising chairman for the establishment and building of the United States Space and Rocket Center.

Record worked closely with state, city, and national leaders to bring multiple major industries to Huntsville and Madison County from the 1940s until 1981.

When Record accidentally learned of the idea, he modestly suggested that it instead be named after former U.S. representative Robert "Bob" Jones.

Record served with distinction in the US Army Air Corps during World War II and remained active in organizations, such as the VFW, American Legion, Elks and YMCA.

[9] A deeply religious man who was active at the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, James Record will be remembered for publicly being quoted as saying that he wanted to make Madison County, Alabama, a better place to work, live, play and pray for current and future generations.