James Louis Panter III

Born on February 28, 1941, to Jewel Woody Panter and James Louis Panter, Jr., Jim lived a life defined by his love for family, his passion for work, and his quiet, steady presence. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Connie Staten Panter, his two daughters and their spouses, Caroline and Bart Reed, Cynthia and Mike Forde, grandson Kethan Panter Reed, sister Pat Panter King, sisters-in-law Vallie Staten and Francis Seelke, and many dear nieces and nephews.

A proud native of Copperhilll, Tennessee, he graduated from Copper Basin High School in 1959 and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1963, earning a BS in Civil Engineering. Jim had great pride in his alma mater and never lost his love for cheering on the Vols.

After college, Jim went to work with the United States Naval Oceanographic Office in Washington, D.C. For the next 5 years, he traveled the world leading a team that conducted coastal surveys for the Navy. This work took him to Vietnam, Greece, Panama, the Philippines, and South America. He loved to share stories of these experiences, including his survival of a helicopter crash in enemy waters off the coast of Vietnam.

In 1968 he moved to Atlanta, Georgia and began working with the engineering firm Jordan, Jones, and Goulding. He loved his work designing water and wastewater treatment plants across the Southeast. When he retired as the Environmental Design Engineer Manager in 2003, the small firm of 19 employees had grown to over 400 employees.

It was in Atlanta where he met Connie, the love of his life for 54 years. Jim and Connie were married in 1970 and shared each year with love and laughter. Both loved to travel, and they did a lot. They remained in Atlanta and together they raised their two daughters, working to create a home filled with warmth and cherished memories.

Jim loved the outdoors – hunting, fishing, and camping – and he and Connie spent their retirement years traveling and enjoying their mountain home “Treetops” in North Carolina.

Long time members of Oak Grove United Methodist Church and the Hope Sunday School Class, Jim’s faith was always an important guide to his life.

Jim was a kind, loving, wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. His constant love and support for his family was the foundation of everything he did.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Oak Grove United Methodist Church on March 3, 2025 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Visiting Nurse Health System – Hospice Atlanta or a charity of your choice in memory of Jim.