Jimmy Carter Dead at 100

The Passing of Jimmy Carter: A Legacy Remembered in January 2025

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away on December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100. Although his death occurred just before the turn of the year, the events surrounding his passing, including tributes, funeral arrangements, and reflections on his legacy, dominated headlines throughout January 2025. Carter, who was the longest-living U.S. president in history and the first to reach the age of 100, left behind a legacy marked by his humanitarian work, his one-term presidency, and his deep commitment to peace and human rights.

The Announcement and Initial Reactions

Carter’s death was announced by the Carter Center on December 29, 2024, stating that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. He had been in hospice care since February 2023, following a series of health challenges, including a diagnosis of melanoma that had metastasized to his brain and liver. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, had passed away in November 2023, and Carter’s determination to live long enough to vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election was noted by his grandson Jason Carter in interviews prior to his death (The Carter Center, www.cartercenter.org; NBC News, www.nbcnews.com).

Tributes poured in immediately from world leaders, former presidents, and ordinary citizens. President Joe Biden, who had a long-standing friendship with Carter, called him “a man of character, courage, and compassion,” declaring January 9, 2025, as a National Day of Mourning. Biden praised Carter’s global impact, noting his work to “eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us” (CNN Politics, www.cnn.com). President-elect Donald Trump, despite past criticisms of Carter, acknowledged his efforts to improve American lives, stating, “He did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude” (The New York Times, www.nytimes.com).

Funeral Arrangements and National Tributes in January

The official state funeral schedule for Carter unfolded over several days in January 2025, reflecting his stature as a former president and global humanitarian. On January 4, the Carter family began the process with a motorcade through Plains, Georgia, starting at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. The motorcade paused at significant locations, including Carter’s boyhood home in Archery, where the National Park Service rang a bell 39 times to honor his presidency, and the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, where Governor Brian Kemp led a moment of silence (CNN Politics, www.cnn.com; Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org).

From January 4 to January 6, Carter’s remains lay in repose at the Carter Center in Atlanta, allowing thousands of mourners to pay their respects. On January 7, his casket was transported to Washington, D.C., via Special Air Mission 39, arriving at Joint Base Andrews. A funeral procession followed, with Carter’s remains transferred to a horse-drawn caisson at the U.S. Navy Memorial—honoring his naval service—before proceeding to the U.S. Capitol. Carter lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda from January 7 to January 9, a rare honor that allowed the public to bid farewell. Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered eulogies during a ceremony at the Capitol, emphasizing Carter’s dedication to service and citizenship (NPR, www.npr.org; USA Today, www.usatoday.com).

The national funeral service took place on January 9 at the Washington National Cathedral, coinciding with the National Day of Mourning declared by Biden. The service, attended by all five living U.S. presidents—Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—featured heartfelt tributes. Biden delivered a eulogy, reflecting on Carter’s global impact and personal friendship, saying, “Millions of people all around the world feel they lost a friend, even though they never met him.” Carter’s grandsons, Josh and Jason Carter, also spoke, with Jason highlighting his grandfather’s 77-year marriage to Rosalynn and his faith-driven life. A poignant moment came when Steve Ford, son of former President Gerald Ford, read a eulogy written by his father, who had passed away in 2006, underscoring Carter’s longevity and the deep bonds he formed with political contemporaries (NPR, www.npr.org; PBS News, www.pbs.org).

Following the service, Carter’s remains were flown back to Plains for a private interment at the family residence that evening. The public was invited to line the motorcade route through Plains, a fitting farewell for a man deeply tied to his hometown (CNN Politics, www.cnn.com).

A Critical Reflection on Carter’s Legacy

Carter’s death prompted a reexamination of his legacy, which is often divided into two distinct phases: his presidency and his post-presidency. During his term from 1977 to 1981, Carter faced significant challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis, high inflation, and an energy crisis, which contributed to his landslide loss to Ronald Reagan in 1980. His approval ratings at the time were among the lowest of post-war presidents, and many viewed his presidency as a failure (Forbes, www.forbes.com). However, Carter’s achievements, such as the Camp David Accords—which established peace between Israel and Egypt—and his focus on human rights in foreign policy, have been reevaluated more favorably over time (The New York Times, www.nytimes.com).

It’s worth questioning the narrative that Carter’s presidency was a failure. While economic struggles and the Iran hostage crisis dominated headlines, his emphasis on energy conservation and environmental protection—such as installing solar panels on the White House—were ahead of their time. His critics often overlook the structural challenges he inherited, including a post-Vietnam and post-Watergate America grappling with distrust in government. The Camp David Accords, in particular, remain a cornerstone of Middle East stability, a testament to Carter’s diplomatic skill (The New York Times, www.nytimes.com).

Carter’s post-presidency, however, is where he truly shone. After leaving office at age 56, he dedicated over four decades to humanitarian work through the Carter Center, which he founded with Rosalynn in 1982. The Center’s efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease, monitor elections worldwide, and promote mental health care have had a global impact. Carter’s hands-on involvement with Habitat for Humanity, where he and Rosalynn helped build thousands of homes for the disadvantaged, earned him widespread admiration. His 2002 Nobel Peace Prize recognized these efforts, cementing his reputation as one of America’s greatest ex-presidents (NBC News, www.nbcnews.com; The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com).

Yet, this glowing post-presidential narrative can sometimes gloss over complexities. Carter’s outspoken criticism of Israel, particularly in his 2006 book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, drew accusations of bias and strained his relationship with some Jewish communities, despite his role in the Camp David Accords. His freelance diplomacy, such as his 1994 negotiations with North Korea, was criticized by some as overstepping, though it helped avert conflict at the time (The New York Times, www.nytimes.com). These aspects remind us that Carter’s legacy, while overwhelmingly positive, is not without nuance.

Global and Local Impact in January

Throughout January 2025, Carter’s death resonated globally. The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta opened a condolence book on January 14, with Indonesian officials and diplomats paying tribute to Carter’s commitment to peace and democracy (U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia, id.usembassy.gov). In the U.S., flags were flown at half-staff until January 28, though House Speaker Mike Johnson briefly raised the Capitol flag to full-staff on January 20 for Trump’s inauguration, a decision that sparked debate about protocol during a mourning period (Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org).

In Plains, Georgia, Carter’s hometown felt his loss deeply. Locals like Robin Melton, who visited the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm, spoke of his impact on the community, noting how he brought business and attention to the small town (USA Today, www.usatoday.com). Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter taught Sunday school for decades, held a memorial prayer vigil on December 30, and his burial beside Rosalynn under a willow tree was a poignant end to his journey (NPR, www.npr.org).

Conclusion

Jimmy Carter’s death in late December 2024 set the stage for a month of reflection in January 2025, as the world honored a man who transformed from a one-term president into a global symbol of service and compassion. His funeral proceedings, from the Capitol to Plains, highlighted his humility and deep ties to his roots, while tributes underscored his lasting impact on peace, human rights, and humanitarian work. Carter’s life challenges us to look beyond immediate judgments—whether of his presidency or broader historical events—and consider the long-term effects of principled leadership. His legacy, as Jonathan Freedland noted in The Guardian, offers a lesson in perspective: what seems like failure in the moment can, with time, reveal enduring value (The Guardian, www.theguardian.com).