'At Age 100' Jimmy Carter... Journalists Who Wrote His Obituary Passed Away First

Obituaries Written Decades Ago Following Custom
NYT, The Guardian Authors Already Deceased

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100 at the end of last year. Due to his exceptionally long life, it is reported that by the time his obituary was published in American media, the journalists who wrote the articles had already retired or, in some cases, had even passed away before President Carter.

The Washington Post (WP) in the U.S. shared behind-the-scenes stories on the obituaries of former President Carter published by American daily newspapers on the 1st (local time). Media outlets customarily prepare obituaries covering the achievements and life of former presidents during their tenure in advance, so Carter’s obituary had reportedly been written decades ago.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter during his lifetime. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Former President Carter passed away on the 29th of last month. Afterward, various media outlets published obituaries; for example, Roy Reed, the New York Times (NYT) obituary writer, reportedly died in 2017.

The WP obituary for President Carter was written by Edward Walsh, who passed away last year. Walsh was a veteran journalist who covered the White House during the Carter administration.

Meanwhile, the obituary published by the Philadelphia Inquirer bore the byline of Larry Aitchell, a former journalist who retired in 2008. Aitchell’s draft of Carter’s obituary was reportedly written as long as 35 years ago. The journalist who released this article was Molly Aitchell, Larry Aitchell’s daughter and currently the deputy editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The day after former President Carter's passing, on the 30th of last month, a flag at half-mast was flown at the Treasury Department building in Washington DC. Photo by Yonhap News

After posting the obituary, Molly expressed on her personal social media that “My father’s name appeared on the front page of the newspaper again after 16 years through President Carter’s obituary.”

The Guardian’s obituary for former President Carter was written by Harold Jackson, who, according to WP, also passed away in 2021.

Meanwhile, Carter is the longest-lived U.S. president. His body will be transported to Washington DC on January 6th and, like former presidents since Abraham Lincoln, will be laid in state at the Capitol.

Former President Carter’s funeral will be held at the Washington National Cathedral. President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy, and Carter’s grandson and chairman of the Carter Center board, Jason Carter, will give a tribute speech.