Carlton Mize James Jr

It is with great sadness that we share the news of our loss of Carlton Mize James, Jr., 73, on Monday, December 5, 2011. He was born in Athens, Georgia, the only child of Frances Smith James and Carlton Mize James, Sr. He began attending the Athens YMCA at age 7 and was one of the original “Kelly Boys”. He was educated in the Athens City Schools, graduating from Athens High School in 1956. He was elected Class President all four years of high school and was elected President of the Student Body during his senior year. He was a four year starter for the Athens High Trojan football team and elected a Tri-captain of the 1955 State Championship Team.

He received an athletic scholarship to the University of Georgia where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration/Accounting degree in 1960. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society, and was Brigade Commander of the UGA ROTC Brigade, later serving as an infantry officer in the U. S. Army Reserves.

Following graduation he was employed by Southern Bell (now BellSouth Corporation). In 1966, he returned to Athens and began his employment with the University of Georgia, serving as Associate Vice President for Human Resources until his retirement in 1998. He served as National President of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), Southern Region Chair of CUPA-HR, and was the recipient of the prestigious Donald Dickason Award for Outstanding and Distinguished Service to CUPA-HR.

Carlton was a member of the First United Methodist Church, serving as a Trustee and also serving in various lay positions. Active in our community, he served on numerous boards, including the United Way, Rotary Club, Salvation Army, UGA Alumni Society, Athens Touchdown Club, and Talmadge Terrace/Lanier Gardens. He was chairman of the first City of Athens Personnel Board and was instrumental in writing the first city merit system. He served on the Board of Directors of Sun Trust Bank of NE Georgia and served as president of the Athens Country Club.

In addition to his many professional and personal accomplishments, Carlton will be best remembered for his compassion and kindness to others; his constant care for those he loved; and his remarkable intelligence and sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Claire Richardson James; his two daughters, Catherine James Langley and her husband, Larry Langley of Charlotte, NC; and Ashley James of Charlotte NC and her fiancee, Sterling Laney; two grandchildren, Lauren Sinclair Langley and Stewart Carlton Langley of Charlotte, NC, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nan and Fred Leathers of Athens, niece Fran Davis and husband Jay Davis of Athens, and nephew Ben Leathers and wife Lee of Milton, Georgia and three great nephews, a great niece, and cousins. Surviving, also, is his beloved golf group and many friends who have been so special to him through the years.

Visitation will be at Bernstein Funeral Home on Thursday, December 8 from 6-8PM. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Friday, December 9 at 2PM with the Reverends Chuck Hodges and Martha Aenchbacher officiating. Interment will be in Oconee Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Carlton’s memory to the First United Methodist Church, 327 N. Lumpkin St. Athens, GA 30601 (specify for the new Sanctuary Cross Fund).

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.