Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter passed away at age 100 in his home on December 29, 2024, after being in hospice care for nearly two years.
Carter served as the 39th US President from 1977-1981 right after the nationwide Watergate scandal. Carter promised to bring decency to the White House and be a president the people can trust. After narrowly defeating Gerald Ford, Carter won the presidency.
However, his presidency was challenged by several factors outside of his control, including the economy, inflation, and wages.
While Carter did have several notable accomplishments, such as the Camp David Accords, confrontation of “stagflation,” and pardoning all Vietnam draft dodgers, he was ultimately defeated by Republican challenger Ronald Reagan in the landslide election of 1980. Yet this did not stop Carter, and his defeat only seemed to mark the beginning of the longest post-presidency term to date (nearly 44 years).
During that time, Carter was able to build The Carter Center, which promotes peace, health, and human rights as well as Habitat for Humanity, a Christian organization that builds homes for the unfortunate.
Carter continued to work with these organizations well into his mid-90s and enjoyed high favoribility ratings during his post-presidential years. When Carter passed away on December 29th, many people mourned the ex-president who had done so much for his community and nation.
All former U.S. Presidents put out a statement sending condolences to his family and all flags were set at half mast for 30 days.
Carter’s death had a sizable impact on both students and faculty.
According to science teacher Mr. Andrew Grossman, “Death becomes this amazing reminder of what somebody did and who they were,” Mr. Grossman said. “[President Carter’s] post-presidency has been one where he really dedicated his life to service in a way that few people of that level of privilege felt the need to. I think he was an unpopular president, but he was humble, hardworking and somebody who cared about improving the lives of people around the country. Even though I was sad to see him go, he lived a long life, and the message of his life is very clear.”
“I think that he was effective in many areas. I appreciate his concern for people and contribution after he left the presidency including all the work he did with Habit of Humanity.”
mr. stuart alden
Economics and computer science teacher Mr. Stuart Alden, who participated in both the 1976 election and 1980 election, directly experienced the period himself. “I did not vote for Jimmy Carter although I thought he was a thoughtful and intelligent president,” Mr. Alden explained. “I think that he was effective in many areas. I appreciate his concern for people and contribution after he left the presidency including all the work he did with Habit of Humanity.”
Fourth Former Eli Dixon said, “I’m sad to hear of his passing. I know he was a good man, he helped build houses. I thought The Carter Center was cool,” Dixon said.
“I think he was probably the best president from a moral standpoint,” Fifth Former Desmond Henecks said. “Even though he was not great during the time he was president, he did a lot of good afterward. I think [his passing] was sad but he was hanging on by a thread so it wasn’t unexpected.”
