Jimmy Carter’s grandson Jason speaks out on former president’s life, legacy

Jan 01 2025

Editor’s note: As America mourns the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, I have been amazed by the number of posts, blogs, and photo sharing by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who had the privilege to personally meet President Carter through their Peace Corps connection.

Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn wrote “For over 50 years, President Carter, his mother Lillian Carter, and the entire Carter family have championed the Peace Corps’ work to advance world peace and friendship through international service.” Many RPCVs shared about meeting President Carter through the Lilian Carter Award; others through the Carter Center’s work to eradicate Guinea worm disease in Africa and Asia. I personally met Jimmy and Rosalyn a couple of times (though I regrettably have no photos of the occasions).

At the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation, where I serve as chief advancement officer, we are honored to count Jason Carter (RPCV South Africa, 1998-2000) as a valued member of our advisory board.

In this GMA interview, Jason talks about his grandfather’s life and legacy.

— Glenn Blumhorst

“He was my grandfather so I have a lot of memories, like others do, of him taking me fishing or sitting around and talking about what I should do in my life,” Jason Carter continued. “When I graduated from college, he and I sat down and I said, ‘What would you do if you were me?,’ and he said, ‘I would go to Africa and join the Peace Corps,’ and so I did that.”

Click here to see the entire GMA interview.

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