Jimmy Carter, an Augusta photographer as well-known for helping others as he was for wearing his signature overalls and bandana, died Friday night of a massive heart attack, friends and family said. He was 60.
Mr. Carter, often considered the personal photographer of the late entertainer James Brown, developed friendships throughout the community over the past three decades and was often seen photographing events and sports activities at Paine College and Augusta State University.
"He had a way of making people smile when they didn't want to smile," said Korey London, the assistant director of public relations at Paine College.
Mr. London, whom Mr. Carter once mentored, said the older man possessed the gift of drawing out a person's best features.
Mr. Carter learned the business from an uncle who owned a photography studio. He went on to work for several local newspapers, including The Augusta Focus and the City Tribune.
A Vietnam Army veteran, Mr. Carter walked with a limp but didn't let it slow him down.
He had the phrase "indestructible barbarian" put on his business cards because he had overcome much adversity in his life, said Dot Ealy, a family friend and former co-worker.
"(His disability) didn't hold him back," she said. "He would be photographing a wedding on crutches."
Mr. Carter was found in his Broad Street office at about 6 p.m. Friday by his landlord, Kerry McCollum.
He died en route to Augusta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, where he had been treated about a month earlier for shortness of breath, said the Rev. Richard White, his brother-in-law and minister of a church in Jonesboro, Ga.
He is survived by his 61-year-old wife, Jean.
The family has not made a final decision about funeral arrangements or a burial, the Rev. White said.
Dent's Undertaking Establishment is handling the arrangements.
Reach Justin Boron at (706) 823-3215 or justin.boron@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Sorry to hear the loss of "the Camera Man." I did not know him personally, but just Thursday morning I spoke to him coming in a store and said "Here's the Camera Man." He greeted back in the same way as no stranger to no one. Prayers and condolences to the family and another pillar of Augusta is gone.
God belss you and your family. As a photographer, I appreciated his work and admired him as well. Keep the strength in this dire time and I will keep you in my prayers!
Also to be appreciated was the courteous way he went about his business. So many news photographers these days are known for pushing and shoving while getting their perfect shot. He was always a gentleman.
I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Carter, but often heard him on the radio holding forth on one topic or another. I admired him for his wit and intelligence. Augusta has lost another important figure. We are sad for his dying, but happy for his life.
I considered Jimmy a personal friend. Every time we would see each other it was a back and forth dig on our weight. I am shocked and sadden by his passing. I will miss you brother.
" ZIP CODE "
Fairwell my friend and photography inspiration. Your influence has given me and many others the determination to hold our cameras and lives up high. May the family continued to be enriched with the beauty of his works for generations to come. Meet you later my friend at Heaven's dark room.
I am saddened by the loss of Jimmy Carter. May God be with his family.
Fairwell my dear brother-in-law, I will miss you, I enjoyed my visits with you over the years. I did not know that it would be our last time together, last month, when we spent time together.
I know that your spirit will still be in your home office so I will continue to go in there and play with all your gadgets.
I will miss you but I know that I will see you again in heaven.
D. White
Atlanta, Ga.
Deeply sadden by the loss of my favorite photographer. Jimmy took many photos of me so that I may pursue my modeling career 10+ yrs ago!! Since then, I have moved to Texas to pursue my career and I couldn't have done it without him. He will be missed.
~Panamanian Redneck~
I was shocked to hear of Jimmy Carter's passing. I have know him for an extremely long time. Each of my meeting with him over the years was memorable. He had a great sense of humor and he was always very polite and generous. There aren't many people in the world who never met a stranger...Jimmy was one of them. He shall be greatly missed in our community. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this most difficult time.
My sister and I knew Jimmy well, and will miss him very much. Of course this is an extremely sad time, but it would be hard to remember him without smiling. Jimmy was always full of funny comments and could make anybody smile. Remember the good times and his signature sayings. We will all miss you Jimmy!
I don't believe Mr. Carter ever met anyone without giving them a greeting and smile. He would wave at everyone up and down Broad St. We'll miss him!
I agree that Jimmy was one of the nicest people anyone could ever meet. He loved to laugh and smile and make others do the same. I've known him for about 5 years and whether it was the mall where I worked through college or at ASU when I graduated, he always came with the same smile and great big bear hug. Jimmy was definately a special person and knowing Jimmy made you feel very special.
I have a funny story, the first time I met Mr. Carter he was following me around the Women's Health & Beauty Expo that Cher's Sister Only Club and Mocha Sisters had back in Oct. 06. Unknown to me, he was told to follow me around b/c my boyfriend at the time asked him to b/c he proposed to me on that day. I couldn't believe he was following me around the way he was, and even though I was extremely tired, he made me smile in each one of those pictures. To the family, sorry about your loss. He was a warm and very kind man.
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