Our Members : Member Featured Biographies
 
Curtis and Amelia James
A Retired Marine Corps. Colonel and his talented wife, a nationally recognized portrait artist, are the first to move-in at the new Golfview Villas.
After 62 years of marriage and a remarkable history of defending our country and philanthropic efforts in the arts, Retired Marine Corps. Col.
Curtis James and his wife Amelia will be the first couple to move
into the beautiful Golfview Villas.
“As an artist, I’m very visual,” says Mrs. James, “and from the moment I saw the impressive collection of art on the walls at Park Springs, it was
very clear that a serious effort had been made to create this wonderful environment. Then I saw our home and how the sunroom could be made into my
art studio. That was a big part of our decision.”
Mrs. James grew up in Decatur, GA, as did several generations of her family. “I remember hayrides at Stone Mountain,” she says. “I even
have a photo of my grandparents in 1900 having a picnic with two other couples, all dressed up, right there at Stone Mountain. Being close to home
certainly feels comfortable.”
The couple met when Col. James, who grew up in Kentucky, came to Emory
University during World War II and later served in, Korea and Vietnam. He went to work for the Dekalb County government after his service, and ultimately became Senior Vice President of Fidelity Bank from which he
retired ten years ago. Amelia taught at The Callanwalde Fine Arts Center for twenty years.
For many years, the couple lived in Druid Hills, an Atlanta suburb, with a second home in Highlands, North Carolina. Eventually, they would make
Highlands their primary residence, all the while staying active on many boards including their Homeowners Association, serving the Bascom-Louise
Gallery Fine Art Center and hosting the center’s 2006 Garden Tour, and volunteering with the Bel Canto Opera Series to raise money for the arts.
While they loved everything they were doing, this active couple realized they were ready to relocate to a place where they had fewer home maintenance concerns and more time to enjoy themselves. After comparing
older adult communities in Highlands and Atlanta, and discovering Park Springs, the choice became very obvious.
“Ironically, the same week we decided to move into Park Springs, so did my brother andhis wife,” recalls Amelia. Having family around is very important to them. Curtis and Amelia have three children and three
grandchildren, and look forward to entertaining in their new Golfview Villa home.
“We truly couldn’t believe we could luck into something like this, the trees, the mountain, the friendly people,” added Mrs. James. “Although I will miss the seven ranges of mountains I looked out on in Highlands, I gladly traded all that for one big mountain here-and a future filled with maintenance-free living, enjoyable pursuits, and peace of mind for all the years to come.”
Gay and Jim Dull
It’s predictable but it must be said: Gay and Jim Dull are anything but! The couple, who will move into their new Park Springs Golf View Villa this fall, spent 31 years at Georgia Tech. Jim rose to become dean of students and Gay worked as a media specialist for the Atlanta public school system.
The Dulls met at Miami University of Ohio where both were on staff. “Jim asked me to marry him on the first date,” Gay recalls. Degrees in biology and physical education, and experience in university administration led to an appointment for Jim at Georgia Tech.
A devoted teacher, Gay stayed home to care for sons John and David, and later returned to work after getting a second degree in library science. For more than three decades, the Dulls lived on campus before retirement and a move to a Peachtree Street condominium.
Jim, the inspiration behind the Ramblin’ Wreck of Georgia Tech and the beloved mascot Buzz, has been honored in many ways for his service. The on-campus theater bears his name. Recently,Gay and Jim were recognized with a ride around Grant Field in the Ramblin’ Wreck at the 2007 Georgia Tech/Duke football game.
The Dulls are eagerly anticipating the move to Park Springs, including the chance to reconnect with retired Georgia Tech faculty and staff. “The calendar of events is so full and the surroundings are so beautiful,” notes Gay. “Our son looked all over Atlanta for the place he thought was best for us and one day I got a call. He said, ‘Mom, you’ve got to get over here and see Park Springs.’”
The Dulls are excited about the community’s proximity to familiar people and places. That includes Peachtree Christian Church, friends and activities at Georgia Tech and their son John and his family. The day we spoke, Gay and Jim were on their way to lunch with two Georgia Tech/Park Springs couples whom they’ve known for 50 years.
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