Forum: States McCarter about more than politics

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States McCarter was much more than a quick rehash of Athens politics can capture. To put it simply, he was a force of nature. His service to the local government was the byproduct of a life dedicated to hard work and helping others. When we moved to Cedar Creek, States was one of the first people to ring our doorbell and say hello. That initial conversation blossomed into friendship, and States quickly became a treasured mentor.
The product of a different generation, and the youngest of an enormous family reared on a farm in Clover, S.C., States' stories of his rural upbringing were captivating. In one sitting, he could teach you both the nuances of growing asparagus and the best recipe for cooking a possum. Even though his military and academic careers took him out of rural South Carolina, States never lost touch with the agrarian roots that shaped him from an early age.
In retirement, with the help of his beloved wife, Jane, States meticulously restored the family farmhouse in which he was raised. The invitation and trip to visit their farm in Clover is a memory my wife and I will always cherish.
Other than his customary Trumanesque power nap in the middle of the day, States rarely sat still for a moment. In retirement he transformed the farmstead of his youth into a dynamic, working Christmas tree farm. The Leyland cypress and Japanese cryptomeria that line the entrances to Cedar Creek were saplings grown by States and transported from South Carolina.
Always energetic, it was a struggle to match his pace. He moved with the speed of a man singular in purpose, and at half his age I could barely keep up with him on foot. The same motivating inner fire drove him to constantly improve his surroundings. On his daily walks around Cedar Creek with Jane, States slowed only to pick up bits of trash from the curbs and yards of his neighbors. I imagine he personally hauled off several Dumpster loads of wrappers and trash over the years. This energy level rarely receded. If you ever corresponded with States via e-mail, you likely received messages he composed at 4:30 in the morning.
Despite his relentless energy, States always had time to sit and talk. Friends, neighbors and politicians alike, he was willing to offer advice. His door was always open with wine ready to pour, or a cold beer to share.
States was usually happy to talk politics, but the real joy lay in talking about everyday life. Not many people are lucky enough to have a county commissioner who can swap moonshine recipes, or tell you about the time a meteorite smashed through the roof of his barn.
Those experiences and that life shaped States into a pragmatic, sometimes stubborn leader. With Charles Carter's departure from the Athens-Clarke County Commission, States became the lone holdout of a different era. His nature, molded by life with hands in the soil, put him at odds with the changing culture of Athens. Sometimes marginalizing him from his opponents, his strong instincts on many issues have proved correct over time. While understandable, it is unfortunate that we had to lose him before seeing the value of his style and perspective.
A proud man, States retreated as his health began to fail. I'm sorry to say I did not have the chance to thank him for all of his hard work on our behalf. I did not get to thank him for his friendship. I did not get to tell him we miss seeing him riding his bicycle and sporting his customary straw hat.
Thank you, States McCarter, for showing us all what a life dedicated to family, service and community can be. We will miss you, my friend.
• David Hamilton, a past president of the Cedar Creek Civic Association, currently serves on the boards of the Federation of Neighborhoods and the Athens Rotary Club. He owns Accu-Rate Insurance Agency.

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