Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Add a Memory
Make a Donation
FUNERAL HOME
Jim Wooten Obituary
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Wooten worked for the Macon News and served in the U.S. Army before a long career at the Atlanta papers. He was a long-time conservative editorial columnist for the Atlanta newspapers while also spending 24 years in the Georgia Army National Guard. He retired as a colonel and earned the Legion of Merit, one of the highest military awards for service.
At The Atlanta Journal, he was city editor and then assistant managing editor before becoming the editorial editor. In that role, he won a national award for a story he had reported about politicians looting the state pension system. When the Journal and the Constitution newspapers merged, Wooten became a conservative columnist. He retired in 2009.
Wooten was the fourth of six children born to Omer E. Wooten and Annie Mae Towns Wooten and the first of their children delivered in a hospital in McRae, in Telfair County. His people had been living in the area since the 1840s
Wooten and his wife, Ann, bought and restored the dilapidated Telfair County home of four-time Georgia governor Eugene Talmadge, which included not only the house but also 275 acres of mostly trees. Having retired from the AJC, Jim was involved in both the restoration of the house into Sugar Creek, an event venue, and the management of the forest land. The restoration received an award from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The Wootens sold the house to a private owner in early 2019.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at Georgia Funeral Care and Cremation, 4671 South Main Street, in Acworth. The funeral home chapel has a capacity of only 75. A private burial is planned with full military honors. Plans for a reception will be announced.
Read more about Jim Wooten on ajc.com
Memories and Condolences
for Jim Wooten
17 Entries
Lance DeLoach
July 8, 2024
So sad to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a. great op/ed writer for The Atlanta Journal, and an even greater conservative op-Ed writer. He’s missed!
Wayne Beyea
December 6, 2023
My condolences to the family of this wonderful man!
Bob Irvin
November 8, 2023
Jim, old colleague, thank you for your friendship, your wisdom, your patriotism, your courage, your integrity, your determination, your hard work, and your success. You were the premier journalist of our era in Atlanta. I missed you when you retired, and I miss you even more now that you're gone from among us. God bless you my friend.
Jerry De Avila
November 7, 2023
It was a great honor serving with Jim Wooten in the GA National Guard. My greatest memory of Jim is when we went to Panama and Ecuador on a mission with the 124th PAD. He was a a great mentor and was privileged to have known him. Amazing to think that he was with me on my first and last day in the National Guard. My deepest condolences to his family
How you can show support
Richard Hallman
November 3, 2023
As a librarian at the AJC I helped Jim many times. In later years we chatted about politics as well. He was a great, funny, smart guy and, as everyone has already mentioned, a true gentleman.
Jim Stewart
November 3, 2023
Ann I would give anything to hear you and Jim sing old timely gospel songs together again. I knew him of course at the old AJC, in the Guard where we were the only Vietnam vets, and as a friend. He had a life in full and I will miss him.
Jan Cribbs
November 2, 2023
Jim, I am grateful that storytelling brought Ann & me together, & then I got to meet you & read & hear some of your wonderful stories about family & friends. Although we were political opposites in some ways, that never mattered in the human connections. I loved that you made Ann laugh & me, too. You are remembered & honored in the many, many connections you made while here, as we speak your name, share your kindness & wisdom, & tell your stories.
Art Hays
November 2, 2023
It was an honor serving with Jim in the National Guard Selective Service Detachment.
CH (COL) Ron Crews, USAR Retired
November 2, 2023
It was my honor to serve with Jim in the Army National Guard. We spent time together in the Republic of Georgia and served at the State Headquarters. After I returned from Georgia Jim and Ann came to our house for dinner and enjoyed some Georgian wine! He was the sane voice at the AJC. I looked forward to his columns. May the LORD comfort you, Ann, and your family.
Phil Kent
November 1, 2023
Jim was a fellow conservative fighting in the trenches alongside me when I was editorial page editor of the Augusta Chronicle & later when I moved to Atlanta. I miss to this day our many political discussions and just plain having fun together. RIP ol´ pal.
Rob Levin
November 1, 2023
When I arrived at the AJC from the Providence Journal & Bulletin in 1984, Jim and I immediately hit it off. It was later that I realized he hit it off with pretty much everyone. Nonetheless, he kept a canoe in my basement and when he'd come by to fetch it, we'd sit on the front porch and talk and I always felt I was in the presence of . . . hmm, let's just call it wisdom. Reading his obituary, it's one more example of me shaking my head and going, "Dang, I wish I spent more time with him." I'm envious of those who did.
Louisa and Quimby Melton
November 1, 2023
One great Southern gentleman we were privileged to know. Louisa and Quimby Melton
Henry Von Kohorn, Princeton, NJ
November 1, 2023
I met Jim when we were in basic training together at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Though we never saw much of each other afterwards, we managed to stay in touch over the years, mostly over the phone. Our opportunities to visit in person were far too infrequent.To use an overused cliche, Jim was comfortable in his own skin, always true to himself. We differed in how we viewed the world, but that never got in the way of our friendship. Our conversations were always thoughtful and civil. The world is in need of more folks like Jim Wooten. That we have lost him is unspeakably sad.
Jack Womack
November 1, 2023
What a great man. An incredible officer and a good friend Gone too soon Jack Womack
Jeff Jones
November 1, 2023
Jim was very committed to the Smyrna Public Library and the Friends of Smyrna Library. He retired as the Friends of Smyrna Library President in 2010. During his many years serving on the Friends of Smyrna Library Board of Directors he passionately supported the Annual Spring & Fall Book Sales, the Murder Goes South Mystery Festivals, Dinner Theater Fundraisers, Guest Speakers & Special Events at the Smyrna Public Library, and the Summer Reading Program. Thank you, Jim, for all of your contributions.
Don Morris
November 1, 2023
R.I.P. Jim. I respected you the years we worked at the AJC together. God bless your family as they grieve their loss.
Jay Bookman
November 1, 2023
Jim was a kind, thoughtful man and a great journalist, but the word that comes to mind when I think of him is "authentic." Humble origins gave him humble values, and he lived those values in his profession and his private life. I always admired him for that. Maybe we'll resume our debates in another time and place, Jim.
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
Make a Donation
in Jim Wooten's name
Memorial Events
for Jim Wooten
How to support Jim's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Jim Wooten's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more