James Marvin Caswell Jr.

Jim Caswell had a full life. Jim attended Morningside Elementary School, Boys High School and graduated from Georgia Tech at the age of 20. In 1950, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving the majority of his two years at Fort Riley, Kansas.

In 1952, Jim was married to Carolyn Mann, his beloved wife of 64 years. Together they shared a life of devotion to each other and their family. The center of their family was always their Savior, the Lord God. Jim was a devoted member of the Church of the Apostles and an active leader in Leading the Way Ministry, traveling around the world on its behalf.

His business career began as a small boy delivering the Saturday Evening Post. From that time until his death, Jim was fully engaged in his business pursuits. He entered commercial real estate in 1960 with the former F. W. Woolworth Co. Several years later, his friend, Ewell Pope, introduced Jim to John Portman which led to his assisting in the development of Peachtree Center as downtown Atlanta became a thriving business community. He was involved in other notable projects including Embarcadero Center in San Francisco, California. In 1971, Jim emerged as a real estate leader in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, developing several office projects. He was the founding partner of the Piedmont Center office development

in Buckhead. No one enjoyed his career more than Jim Caswell.

Jim also was active in a host of non-profit causes for the benefit of his community and state. He served on the board of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and The Shepherd Center, was a founding member of the Buckhead Coalition, and was chairman of the Department of Offender Rehab under Governor Joe Frank Harris. He was also a member of the Board of the Presbyterian Home and a member of Cherokee Town Club. Additionally, he was very involved in the establishment

of Phi Slam, a Christian fraternity at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.

Jim and Carolyn enjoyed traveling the world together, visiting all seven continents and vacationing in Mexico as well as driving across the US. Their time together with their children and grandchildren was no doubt Jim’s greatest joy. Nothing made him happier than to pile whoever was visiting into his St. Simon’s golf cart and tour the island. He will always be remembered for his quiet wisdom and strength that spoke louder than words and for his deep devotion to his family.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Carolyn Mann Caswell, as well as six children:

Jim Caswell III (Robbie), Charles Caswell (Betsy), Tommy Caswell (Suzanne), Lee Caswell (Nancy), Lynda Guthrie (Keith) and Holly King (David). His pride and joy were his sixteen grandchildren: Jim IV (Laura Leigh), Eleanor (Eric), Tyler (Maggie), Charlie Jr. (Kaitlyn), Britt, Alden, Tommy Jr., Lee Jr., Grace, Sarah, Reese, Patrick, Eliza, Cary, Caswell, CJ and two great grandchildren, Paul and Owen.

He is also survived by his sister, Mary Caswell Umstead (Teeter) and sister in law, Anne Caswell and nieces and nephews.

All accomplishments in Jim Caswell’s life are minimal, however, compared to the description of him in Psalms 1:1-3: “Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on His law day and night, that person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yield its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.”

A private graveside service will be held on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Arlington Cemetery followed by a celebration of Jim’s life at The Church of the Apostles, 3585 Northside Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30327 at 11 o'clock. If desired, donations may be made to Leading the Way Ministry or The Shepherd Center.