Obituary – James E. “Jimmy” Carter
James E. “Jimmy” Carter
Jimmy was born on June 3, 1932, in Hattiesburg, MS, to the late Reese Carter and Hertha Merritt Carter of New Orleans, LA., and Panama City Beach, FL. After attending military school from 3rd grade on, he graduated from Jefferson Military Academy, Natchez, MS, in 1950 and then attended the University of Florida prior to joining the Army in 1953. In 1953-54, he was stationed in Schwabisch Hall, Germany, serving during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return to the States, he attended Florida State University where he received a BS in Business Administration.
Jimmy began his professional career as a Certified Public Accountant with Arthur Anderson and Company in Houston, TX. He later moved his family to California where he worked as the Controller for a building developer. In 1969, he bought the three Holiday Inns in Bay County, FL, with State Senators Dempsey Barron, Mallory Horne, and Wig Barrow, and the State Comptroller Fred “Bud” Dickinson, Sr. As Managing Partner, he and his wife, Kitte Hosford Carter, managed all three locations from 1969 until they were sold in 1978.
A devoted Florida State Seminole fan, Jimmy was active in the Seminole Boosters all his adult life. In 1972, he, with Jim Smith and George Langford, developed and implemented a financial plan that eliminated a huge deficit in the FSU Athletic Department – preserving the football program for generations to come! In 1975, he served as Treasurer of the Seminole Boosters and a key fundraiser for all Florida State athletics. In 1981, he was elected Chairman of the Board of the Seminole Boosters. During this time, Kitte, Jimmy, and their family were able to enjoy travels on the team plane, as well as many memorable occasions hosting and feeding the players and coaches at their home.
Upon permanently moving to Tallahassee in 1978, he was involved in several business ventures prior to purchasing Management Recruiters of Tallahassee (MRT). Active in state and local politics, as a staunch supporter of the late U.S. Senator and Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, Jimmy made several lifelong friends while serving as Volunteer Coordinator during Chiles’ successful campaign for Governor. In 1991, he joined the Chiles Administration as Controller for the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, retiring in 1998. He returned to the private sector to serve as Treasurer of MRT, and retired in 2019.
A devoted husband and father, Jimmy was so proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren, and their many accomplishments. He was never happier than when surrounded by his family and friends during the numerous gatherings and celebrations at the Carter household through the years. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the Carters was a magical time with much laughter, a lengthy and often hilarious gift process, and trees decorated by the grandchildren containing ornaments collected by family and friends through the years. Not to mention, the incredible food prepared by the family chef and other great cooks. Also, family FSU football weekends with barbecues, picnics, and tailgate parties were especially fun and could be counted on to provide some memorable moments.
As avid travelers, Jimmy and Kitte visited 30+ countries and numerous national and international cities with special memories of a honeymoon in Switzerland; many trips to France and Italy; recent cruises to the Mediterranean Coast, Norway, and Iceland; and four float plane fly-in Grizzly Bear watches in Homer, Alaska. On their last trip to Alaska, accompanied by their two granddaughters, they were blessed to have a clear view of both Mount Denali and the Northern Lights, a rare treat indeed! Even after those travels, some of Jimmy’s most precious moments were spent in his childhood “hometowns” of New Orleans, LA, and on the waterfront of Lynn Haven, FL. Most of all though, Jimmy simply loved to be with his “Kitte” – whether a surprise outing to the coast, a spur of the moment trip to see the Christmas lights in London, Paris, and Rome, or just a drive to town – to be with her was always enough for him.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kitte Hosford Carter, Tallahassee, FL; sons, Mike Carter (Tina), Montgomery, AL, James W. Carter, Tallahassee, FL, Robert Carter, Panama City, FL; daughters, Peggy Carter Claborn (Joe), Tallahassee, FL, and Sundae Minton McMillan (Craig), Hosford, FL; grandchildren, Carter McMillan Peterkin (Greg), Tallahassee, FL, James Carter, Atlanta, GA, Morgan Carter, Atlanta, GA, Connor McMillan (Jazmyn), Monticello, FL, Benjamin Carter, Panama City, FL, Harrison Carter, Indianapolis, IN, and Bryan Claborn (Bridget & David), Tallahassee, FL; a great-grandchild, Addison Lee Peterkin, Tallahassee, FL; nieces, Brandie Hosford (Brogan & Aislin), Tallahassee, FL, and Tiffany Hand, Topeka, KS; two former daughters-in-law, Marcey Rosen Carter, Roswell, GA, and Allyson Carter, Indianapolis, IN; lifelong friends, Jimmy Christo and Dr. Tim Smith, Panama City, FL, and Jane Tillman, Panacea, FL; as well as friends and colleagues, Jerry & Sandra Jones, and Trish Andrews (Joe); and the “Boys Night Out” club, Peter Butzin, George Dawson, Larry Sager, and Brette Sanford, Tallahassee, FL.
The family wishes to extend our appreciation to the caregivers of Big Bend Hospice, as well as all the love and care of our family and friends, and to Yvonne Wright who through the years has become family and been devoted to our loved ones in their time of need.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, March 18 at 12:00 p.m. at Culley’s Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, FL. Immediately following the service, friends and family are invited to the Carter home at 6550 Hidden Lakes Dr. for lunch and to continue celebrating Carter’s life.
Flowers are welcome or give to a charity of your choice in his name
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