Jim Wooten passed away recently and he took most vestiges of reasonably conservative Georgia media with him.
He was a soft-spoken, loving, and kind journalist. He was beloved by Atlanta Journal-Constitution writers from every political corner.
He wrote the truth, but always with a velvet glove.
In 2001 he helped pave the way for my syndicated column with Creators Syndicate. What a great recommendation from such a great man.
Jim was always fair, measured, and polite. In my fortunate life, I practiced law with the late-AJC Editor Hal Gulliver, purchased Bill Shipp’s Georgia newsletter (run by the king of Georgia political writers) and had the pleasure to have as part of our company the fantastic former AJC political Editor Tom Baxter. Add the great Dick Pettys and our current CEO Phil Kent and you reach a perfect balance, And the list goes on and on. And I’m proud of every one of them.
I am older and mostly retired. That makes one more reflective. And as I reflect, I become increasingly appreciative of all who I have come to know.
Jim would be at the top of that that list. He was a military veteran, in this week that we honor them. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. And he was a fair, honest, and brilliant journalist.
May God bless and comfort his sweet wife Ann and his entire family.
Thank you, Jim. For all you did for Georgia… and for me. You will be so missed.
Matt Towery is the co-founder and chairman of InsiderAdvantage & James Magazine
