Paying it Forward: Live Large, not “One and Done”
Learning is lifelong. Carter outgrew his limitations, winning the 2002 Nobel Peace PrIze for tireless efforts for peace, health & rule of law. "What you see is what you get." Volunteer, serve others.
I voted for Jimmy Carter for president in November of 1976. As newly married electrical engineering UT graduate, I was working at Boeing in Houston. It was my second vote in a presidential election. In both, my votes helped the winners.
In hindsight, not two of my best election picks. Didn’t see the Watergate burglary coming; nor did I foresee an engineer micromanaging the tennis court schedules or hosting fireside chats wearing a sweater from the White House while prices soared and gasoline purchases were limited to even/odd dates by your license plate.
The 30-day mourning period for Carter during which the U.S. flag flies at half-mast upon the death of a past president closes after January 28, a period set by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1954.
Learning is lifelong. President Jimmy Carter outgrew his limitations.
Respect is defined as “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements,” or as “due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others,” according to the Oxford Dictionary.
Jimmy Carter, the man after his presidency, earned respect for his later works as much as for his service as our 39thPresident. His tireless efforts worldwide for peace, health and rule of law led to a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. I’ve read many quotes honoring his life works. I’ve shared a few below.
“Just a plain old white man who wanted to do good – nothing fancy about him.” said Sara Calloway of Lafayette Alabama said in a December 31st article in the Guardian. She had journeyed to Plains Georgia to pay her respects.
“Whether as President Carter or Jimmy Carter, he lived what he believed. What you see is what you get…I don’t know if there’s a higher compliment you can pay to a man,” Mayor Joseph Recker Jr, Plains Georgia and next-door neighbor to Carter told the Guardian.
"We should all do well to be a bit more like Jimmy Carter," said President Joe Biden during a televised appearance.
Biden also sharing Carter was "a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism."
“Amazing what you can cram into 100 years,” Grandson Jason Carter eulogized January 4 at the Carter Center as reported by the Savannah Morning News.

2025 goals are set. I hope to outgrow my limitations. I know life, family, friends and community are precious. Make a difference. You can blaze a trail you’ve only dreamed about.
I became an engineer so I wouldn’t have to write. My handwriting was unreadable. Now you are reading my 100thweekly column (or so).
Volunteer to serve another selflessly, there is no more noble task.
Published Wichita Falls Times Record News, Trends section, Sunday January 19, 2025
Jack Browne is a community volunteer and former engineer, who became a technology sales and marketing executive over 40 years at Motorola Austin, MIPS Technologies and other Silicon Valley companies. How are the children doing?