James Martin Sigler

Col. James “Jim” M. Sigler, United States Army (Retired), age 89, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025, embraced by the love of his devoted family. His passing marks the end of a life defined by honor, wisdom, integrity, and unwavering devotion to his family and country.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Colonel Sigler attended Englewood High School, Class of 1954 graduating with honors. On graduation, he received a congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. COL Sigler Graduated in the top 15% of his class with a B.S. in Engineering in 1958, a cadet in Company A-1. He was then commissioned into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—a calling that would shape the rest of his life. Around this time, he met the love of his life, Marilyn McKibbin Sigler. Their marriage of 67 years was a lasting example of partnership, commitment, loyalty, and shared strength.

Military Career

COL Sigler would receive two below the zone early promotions in his army career. He would be selected for the Army Post-Graduate School Program where he attended the University of Illinois at Champaign (1964-1965) where he received an M.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering circa 1965 with a 4.0 GPA. COL Sigler went on to teach as a professor at West Point in the Engineering Department (1965-1968).

COL Sigler served overseas in Germany as a platoon leader (1959-1962), in Korea as a company commander of CO A, 11th ENGR BN (1964-1965), deployed to combat in Vietnam as a staff officer for the U.S. Army Engineer Construction Agency Vietnam (USAECAV) (1968-1969) under the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV), and worked as a general staff officer for NATO at S.H.A.P.E. Headquarters in Belgium (1976-1978). While serving as a MAJ in Vietnam, COL Sigler applied for and received a professorship from the University of Maryland to teach combat soldiers college courses.

COL Sigler’s U.S.Army military schools included the U.S.Army Basic Airborne Course, the the Engineer Officer Basic Course (ENOBC) (1958), U.S. Army Ranger School (1959), the Engineer Officer Advanced Course (ENOAC) (1962-1963), the U.S. Army General Staff College (1969-1970), and the U.S. Army War College (1978-1979).

COL Sigler served as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deputy District Engineer for the Philadelphia District as a LTC from (1970-1972).

COL Sigler served in the Pentagon as a LTC and member of the General Staff working for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (DCSOPS) (1972-1974).

COL Sigler commanded an Engineer Training Battalion and Brigade as an LTC at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (1975-1976).

And COL Sigler served as Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Engineer for the Galveston District (1979-1982).

Military Awards include the following:

* U.S Army Legion of Merit Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster,

* U.S Army Defense Meritorious Service Medal,

* U.S Army Meritorious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters,

* U.S Army Commendation Medal,

* U.S Army National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star,

* U.S Army Vietnam Service Medal with Four Campaign Stars,

* U.S Army Korea Defense Service Medal,

* U.S Army Vietnam Service Medal with Four Campaign Stars

* U.S Army Congressional Unit Citation,

* Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Gallantry Cross Unit Citation,

* U.S. Army Basic Airborne Badge,

* U.S. Army Ranger Tab,

* U.S. Army General Staff Identification Badge.

Civilian Career

Circa 1982-1988 - Bovay Engineers - Served as a director and owner. Worked in Austin for about two years then about four years in Houston, Texas. While in Austin, TX, he won the construction contract for a Lockheed Plant.

Circa 1988-2007 - KBR-Halliburton @ Houston, TX served as a Managing Director of Engineering for almost 300 engineers. Notable projects include the following: Houston Baseball Stadium (300 million USD), Houston Sewer System (1 billion + USD), work in Haiti, St. Thomas from Hurricane destruction, California from earthquake destruction, projects during the War in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, projects in Iraq during Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Post War Occupation, and likely others.

I should also mention that my dad, COL Sigler, engaged in many community service related projects, and other endeavors.

* Member of the Judo club at West Point, NY

* Member of the Russian language club at West Point, New York which he founded

* Little League baseball coach at West Point, NY

* Cub Scout Pack Leader at McLean, VA

* Served as President of the West Point Society of Houston, TX.

* Mason and Shriner

* Member of the Presbyterian Church by faith

Jim’s impact and interests extended beyond his resume. He was a man of deep curiosity and genuine wonder. He loved to learn and to teach. He had a lifelong love for automobiles, snow skiing, and world travel. He was a passionate student of history, particularly Roman history, often found with a book in hand, eager to expand his understanding of the world.

COL James Martin Sigler is survived by his wife, Marilyn Carole Sigler, his children James Martin Sigler II, Dr, Cynthia Jean Sigler, M.D., Robert Scott Sigler, RA, MBA and wife Maegan, his grandchildren Stacey L. Schammel, Patrick T. Sigler, Jaimie A. Sigler, Jennifer E. Sigler, Christabel M. Sigler, Charles E. Sigler, Joseph R. Sigler, Andrew R. Sigler, Ryan H. Sigler, Erin M. Sigler, and his great-grandchildren Glenn Robinson, Mya M. Robinson, and Maliyah N. Robinson, close extended family Jane, Bill, Jodie, William, and Carissa Sigler, as well as many lifelong friends and neighbors.

Family and friends thank you for celebrating Jim’s remarkable life, unwavering service, and the legacy he leaves in the hearts of all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s honor to a veteran’s charity of your choice.