Carter's grandson: He was the same in public and private
Jan 09, 2025
Jason Carter, the former president's grandson, delivered a eulogy filled with humor and personal remembrances on Thursday, telling mourners that the 39th president was the same man in public as he was in private.
"In my 49 years, I never perceived a difference between his public face and his private one," Jason Carter said at the Washington funeral service for former President Carter, who died in December at 100. "He was the same person no matter who he was with or where he was. And for me, that’s the definition of integrity."
Jason Carter, the chair of the Carter Center, recounted the relatable qualities of his grandparents, such as how they would hang Ziploc bags out to dry, a nod to their experience with the Great Depression, and Jimmy Carter's difficulties using a cell phone. He described his grandfather as a "climate warrior" 50 years ago and a champion for civil rights who also enjoyed a good playlist.
"Basically all of those years ago, he was the first millennial," Jason Carter joked.
Jason Carter emphasized that his grandfather lived a life with love and respect in the policy arena and privately. He highlighted his charity work and his desire to aid those living in poverty. He spoke about the former president's desire to see peace in Israel and Gaza, and how he would speak about those issues at the dinner table.
"He waged peace with love and respect," Jason Carter said. "He led this nation with love and respect. To me, this life was a love story from the moment that he woke up until he laid his head."