Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States who was the first president to reach 100- years old, died on Sunday in his home in Plains, Georgia. His son, Chip Carter, confirmed that the former president died at 3:45 p.m.
Carter has been in hospice care since February 2023, after a series of hospital stays. NBC2 spoke to David Silverberg, a former Washington journalist who met Carter twice, said he was a great man and cared a lot about people.
"Well, my meetings were very, very brief, but he was always very cordial, very gracious, very warm, very welcoming and, a real sense of commitment and service to whatever cause he was promoting at the time," Silverberg said. "One was at a reception for the retirement of Admiral Hyman Rickover. Also in attendance was President (Gerald) Ford and President (Richard) Nixon and Jimmy Carter, all together in the same place and another was a conference on Middle East peace in Emory University."
Carter was president from 1977 to 1981, serving only one term. He eventually won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Carter's death on Sunday touched Silverberg, especially since it happened over the holidays.
"It's hardly a surprise, but still, it's unexpected," Silverberg told NBC2.
Former Collier County Republican State Committeewoman JoAnne DeBartolo didn't agree with what he did at times, and heard numerous things about him.
"People would always refer to him as one of the worst presidents, but I think now he's not going to be going down in history as the worst president. I think (Joe) Biden surpassed him, especially with the outrageous inflation that we're having," DeBartolo said.
They hope this loss can be a lesson we can all learn as we move forward into the future.
"I hope that this is an event that can bring all Americans together, regardless of their ideologies, regardless of their politics, and celebrate a life of service and patriotism and compassion," Silverberg said.
"It is very amazing that he's lasted this long. So thank you for your service," DeBartolo said.
George H. W. Bush was the next oldest president, who died at the age of 94, followed by Gerald Ford.
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