Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. His life was marked by dedicated public service, from his early years in the U.S. Navy to his tenure as Commander-in-Chief and his extensive humanitarian efforts post-presidency.

Early Life and Naval Career

James Earl Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in the small town of Plains, Georgia. Carter was the first US President born in a hospital. He grew up in nearby Archery, where his family ran a farm. This humble upbringing taught Carter the value of hard work and responsibility, shaping the character that would guide him throughout his life. As a young boy, he was a bright student with a love for reading. At Plains High School, Carter excelled academically, participated in extracurricular activities, and played basketball. After graduating in 1941, he set his sights on joining the United States Naval Academy.

To prepare for this ambitious goal, Carter attended Georgia Southwestern College and later transferred to the Georgia Institute of Technology. His hard work paid off when he received an appointment to the Naval Academy in 1943. Carter graduated from the academy in 1946, ranking 60th out of 821 midshipmen, and chose to serve in the Navy’s submarine program.

His naval career was both impressive and groundbreaking. He served aboard various submarines, including the USS Pomfret and USS K-1, where he held the positions of electronics officer and executive officer. In 1952, he joined the Navy’s pioneering nuclear submarine program under Admiral Hyman Rickover. Carter contributed to the design and development of nuclear propulsion systems for naval vessels, showcasing his technical expertise. Over the course of his short service, he rose to the rank of lieutenant and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets.

Carter left the Navy in 1953 after his father passed away, choosing to return home and manage the family peanut farm. His time in the Navy had a lasting influence on him, instilling a deep sense of duty and service that carried over into his political career. Carter’s background as a Naval Academy graduate and submariner remains unique, as he is the only U.S. president to have graduated from the Naval Academy.

Transition to Political Life

After leaving the Navy in 1953 following his father’s death, Jimmy Carter returned to Plains, Georgia, where he began his transition to civilian life and laid the groundwork for a future in politics. During this time, Carter became deeply involved in his community. He served on local boards overseeing education, the hospital authority, and the library. At Plains Baptist Church, he became a deacon and Sunday school teacher, demonstrating his commitment to his faith and neighbors. In 1955, Carter successfully ran for a seat on the Sumter County Board of Education, eventually serving as its chairman.

Carter’s political ambitions grew, and by the early 1960s, he entered state politics. In 1962, he was elected to the Georgia State Senate, where he served from 1963 to 1966. With his sights set higher, Carter initially planned to run for the U.S. Congress in 1966 but instead decided to enter the race for governor of Georgia. Although his first attempt was unsuccessful, finishing third in the Democratic primary, Carter quickly began preparing for another gubernatorial campaign.

In 1970, Carter’s persistence paid off when he was elected governor of Georgia, a position he held from 1971 to 1975. During his tenure, he started gaining national recognition and took on leadership roles within the Democratic Party, including serving as chairman of the Democratic National Committee’s congressional and gubernatorial campaigns in 1974. This elevated his profile and set the stage for his successful run for the presidency in 1976. Carter’s journey from small-town peanut farmer to governor showcased his determination and ability to connect with people at all levels, paving the way for his rise to national prominence.