James Michael Ney

It is no exaggeration to say that the turning point in Jimmy Ney's beautiful journey came in kindergarten.

That's when he first laid eyes on Carol. Happiest day of his life, he said. Together, they shared 64 years, pausing at 50 to renew their marriage vows and count their blessings.

In their native Atlanta, they raised three daughters and later rejoiced in the love of seven grandchildren. He was quick to laugh, kept his friends close and family closer. All together with the kids and grandkids at their house on Lake Burton in North Georgia. There was nothing better.

Not even an eight-year struggle with Parkinson's disease could douse his spirit. Seven weeks before he died, Jimmy got to see his grandson, Frank, play football for Hampden-Sydney College.

"I'm in heaven" he told Carol that afternoon.

James Michael Ney died on Nov. 17, 2025, at the Briar Creek Health Center in Charlotte, N.C. He was 82. Jimmy and Carol moved from their home in Marietta, Ga., to Charlotte eight months before his passing. Those final months together were a blessing for everyone. Before he died, he told his children, "Take care of your mother." After he breathed his last breath, nurses and other staff lined up at his door to pay their respects.

Jimmy, as everyone knew him, was born on April 18, 1943, in Atlanta, the middle of Nathan and Elizabeth Ney's three sons. Though smitten in kindergarten, he and Carol didn't have their first date until eleventh grade when she asked him to the Sadie Hawkins Dance. They were married in the spring 1961. Carol says he never stopped making her laugh.

At Northside High School in Atlanta, Jimmy earned 14 varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. He earned a football scholarship to Furman University, where he graduated in three years with a business degree. He spent 23 years on the Furman Board of Trustees. Jimmy and Carol gave back to his alma mater with their time, wisdom, resources and cheers at football games.

After earning a law degree in two years from The University of Georgia, Jimmy launched a career that included serving two years as law clerk to Judge Bond Almand of the Supreme Court of Georgia and 14 years with the law firm of Alston & Bird where he made partner in 3 years in 1973. In 1984, he cofounded the firm of Holt Ney Zatcoff and Wasserman. He found deep fulfillment in being an attorney and was selected for all editions of the "Best Lawyers in America," from the first edition until his retirement in 2020. Jimmy embraced the practice of land use and commercial real estate law, zoning variances and the like. Everyone agreed, his booming voice made him an effective orator in the courtroom.

Carol remembers driving him from hearing to hearing while representing several cell phone companies trying to erect towers in communities that needed to be convinced cell service is a good thing. She drove as Jimmy studied for the next zoning hearing in the backseat.

His daughters reported how he began each telephone call with, "This is Jimmy Ney, your father." And ended each telephone call by asking, "What can I do for you?"

He cared for his neighbors through the Cobb Library Foundation, Furman University, Northside Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta, Mount Bethel Church in Marietta, Community Friendship (a nonprofit offering mental health and other services), The Schenck School (for K-6 students with dyslexia), Cobb County Chamber of Commerce and many more.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol Ney, of Charlotte; three daughters - Lynn Smith (Ray) of Atlanta, Karen Tracy (John) of Black Mountain, N.C., and Arden Brewer (Bryant) of Charlotte, N.C.; six grandchildren - Ryan Smith of Atlanta, Megan Tracy of Collegeville, Pa., Olivia Tracy of Black Mountain, N.C., and Billy, Jimmy and Frank Brewer, all of Charlotte, N.C.; two sisters-in-law - Fleta Ney and Marsha Ney; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Elizabeth Ney; his two brothers, Jerry and Richard Ney; and a magnificent granddaughter, Caroline Elise Smith.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at H.M. Patterson & Son - Arlington Chapel at 173 Allen Road NE in Sandy Springs, Ga. A service to celebrate his life will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the same location.

A gift in his memory can be made to Cobb Library Foundation(www.cobblibraryfoundation.org), 266 Roswell St., Marietta, Ga. 30060; or Furman University (http://www.furman.edu/giving/), 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, S.C. 29613.

The family is grateful for the care and kindness shared by Al and Carolyn Lockhart and so many caregivers at Briar Creek Health Center including Natasha Gentry, Sydney Miller, Ashley Gutierrez, Brittany Bowling and Lana Hall of FirstLight Home Care of Greater Charlotte.

Jimmy Ney lived a rich life in the best sense of that word.