Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away on Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100, marking the end of a life defined not by his time in office, but by his service, humility, and commitment to serving humanity.
Carter’s death followed 19 months in hospice care, a remarkable feat considering that over 93% of hospice patients die within the first six months, according to the National Library of Medicine
President Joe Biden captured Carter’s essence in a statement released soon after his death, calling him “a man of principle, faith, and humility,” and urging others to study his life “to understand what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning.”
The nation honored Carter with a state funeral on Jan. 9, 2025, where all five living U.S. presidents—Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden—gathered in a rare show of unity to pay tribute. Vice-President Kamala Harris and VP-elect JD Vance were also present.
Born in Plains, Georgia on Oct. 1, 1924, Carter’s upbringing on a peanut farm shaped his work ethic and connection to rural America. After serving as a Navy submariner, Carter entered politics, first serving as a state senator for Georgia, and later becoming its governor in 1971. His focus on civil rights and modernizing state government gained national attention and helped him secure a narrow victory over President Gerald Ford in 1976.
Carter’s presidency (1977–1981) was marked by significant challenges, including the energy crisis and the Iran hostage situation among others, which left many to view his presidency as below average. However, his time in office also had its historic achievements,—including the Camp David Accords, a landmark peace agreement between Egypt and Israel.
AP US History and Global Studies teacher Melissa Gartner reflected on Carter’s life, recalling her own connection to the former president. “I remember [seeing a] cover of People magazine, and it had Jimmy Carter and his daughter, Amy,” Gartner said. “It was amazing that there was a little girl living in the White House who was almost my age.”
Inspired, she wrote a letter to Carter, who responded with a heartfelt handwritten note.
“I kept [that] letter thumbtacked to my bulletin board for a long time,” Gartner said.
Gartner also highlighted Carter’s frequent visits to Centre County, where he became lifelong friends with the Harpster family, staying with them often during both his presidency and the years that followed to go fly-fishing at Spruce Creek.
“It was a big deal that the Carters were in town…You don’t picture [a president] standing in a stream in waders, just fly-fishing,” Gartner said. “But that…spoke to his humble nature. He was one of the few recent presidents who could truly understand a regular person’s lifestyle.”
Yet, as many historians and admirers have noted, Carter’s legacy is defined by his remarkable post-presidency, in which he devoted his life to humanitarian causes and advocating civil rights.
APUSH and AP US Government teacher Brian Smith emphasized Carter’s enduring commitment to humanitarian work above all. “Service, service, service—that’s what he was all about,” Smith said.
Carter’s work with Habitat for Humanity became an iconic part of his post-presidency, as he built homes for those in need well into his 80s and 90s. “There are images of him looking quite old and frail, but he has a hard hat on and a hammer in his hand,” Smith said. “Maybe he wasn’t a great politician, but he was a great humanitarian, and I think that’s what matters.”
Flags across the nation will continue to fly at half-mast for the remainder of the 30-day mourning period, a tradition following the death of a former president.
