Longtime Furman supporter James M. Ney ’64 dies at age 82

Philanthropist and Furman University economics alumnus James (“Jim”) Michael Ney ’64 has died at age 82. His passing was reported in East Cobb News. Ney, a staunch supporter of Furman University, was a member of the Furman Football team. He also served on the Furman Board of Trustees and was named Emeritus Trustee in 2022.

In 1984, Ney co-founded Holt Ney Zatcoff & Wasserman LLP where he practiced until his retirement in 2020. Ney began his career as law assistant of the Supreme Court of Georgia. In 1968, he joined Alston & Bird and was later a special assistant attorney general of the State of Georgia and a special attorney general for the State of Ohio.

Ney has served on the Alumni Board, Annual Giving Council and the Campaign Executive Committee. He and his wife Carol served as co-chairs of the Richard Furman Society and in 2006 received the Bell Tower Award. Jim Ney received the Gordon L. Blackwell Alumni Service Award at the 2024 Bell Tower Awards.

Ney is a longtime member of the Order of the Paladin. He and Carol have served Furman in multiple capacities including the Benefactor’s Circle and the Legacy Society, numerous athletic funds, the Partners Scholarship Program, Bryan Center for Military Science, James B. Duke Library, Mock Trial and the Furman Standard.

Ney was involved with Mt. Bethel Church and was active in the Cobb Library Foundation (Georgia). The art gallery at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center in East Cobb is named after Jim and Carol Ney.