James Palmer Ould Jr. was steadfast in his belief that if individuals exercised their voice, they could make a difference in their communities.

As a politician, businessman and community-minded advocate, Mr. Ould did more than just follow through on his belief -- he lived it.

"He had a pretty well-developed idea of right and wrong," said his son, Nelson Ould of Richmond. "He'd stand up for what is right and speak out against what was wrong."

Mr. Ould, who retired in 1997 after more than 50 years as a certified public accountant, died Sunday of Alzheimer's disease at Comfort Care Homes in Henrico County. He was 84.

A native of Lynchburg, Mr. Ould graduated cum laude from the University of Miami and later earned a law degree by going to night school at Virginia College of Commerce and Law.

Mr. Ould spent his career working as an accountant until retiring from the firm Ould, Joyner, Kirkham and Keel in 1997.

However, it was his concern for others that really told the story of Mr. Ould's life. He was a founding member of the Lynchburg Covenant Fellowship in the early 1950s, which started as a summer camping program open to children of all races. It later included the Church of the Covenant and a lodge where people could go for meals and fellowship.

Today, it has evolved into an organization that offers shelter for the homeless and people in crisis situations, as well as affordable housing and provides other services for the community, said Irving Stubbs, who also help found the organization.

"Jim really believed . . . in giving back to the community and doing things to help people in the community" live better and have better lives, Stubbs said.

A few years ago, Mr. Ould paid the way for some friends, who were refugees from Bosnia, to return to their homeland to visit family after many years of separation, said his wife, Faye Ann Ould of Richmond.

Throughout his life, Mr. Ould maintained a strong interest in politics. After serving on the Lynchburg City Council, he was elected in 1964 as the city's first Republican mayor in 100 years.

While mayor, one of the things he accomplished was making the public library, which had been for whites only, open to everyone.

In 1966, Mr. Ould had an unsuccessful Republican campaign for U.S. Senate, losing to Democrat William B. Spong Jr.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Ould's survivors include two daughters, Nancy Tyrone of West Chester, Ohio; and Rosemary Myers of Seneca, S.C.; three stepsons, Steven Rice of Houston, Mo.; Kenneth Rice of Fairbanks, Alaska; and Clifford Rice of Spangdahlem, Germany; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday at noon at Third Presbyterian Church, 600 Forest Ave., in Richmond. A graveside service will be held Thursday at noon at Spring Hill Cemetery, 3000 Fort Ave., in Lynchburg.