James Foster Sattler

Jim was born in Detroit, Michigan to the late James and Julis Sattler. In his early years, Jim lived in Traverse City, but later moved to Big Rapids, Michigan where he would graduate high school and then later get his bachelor’s degree at Ferris State University.

In 1976, the late Edgar M. Jolley Sr. hired Jim as the Chief Financial Officer of EMJ and together they began to build EMJ Corporation, one of the leading general contractor firms in the U.S. Jim became the President of EMJ in 1982, Chief Executive Officer in 1995, and then the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board in 2010. Jim retired from EMJ in December of 2012 after 36 years of service.

He retired from EMJ in 2012 but he did not sit down and quit, he continued to serve on the Leadership Advisory Board of SunTrust (Truist), Erlanger Hospital Community Board and on the Chattanooga Housing Authority Advisory Board.

Jim served as a board member of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, Chattanooga Chamber Foundation, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, SunTrust Bank, Chairman of the Board of The Enterprise Center, Tennesseans for Economic Growth, and a Commissioner and Vice Chairman with the Chattanooga Housing Authority, as well as a number of other various civic organizations such as Christian Network Team. He is a past chairman of the Front Porch Alliance, Chattanooga Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action a division of Campus Crusades for Christ and Junior Achievement of Chattanooga, a past board member of the University of Tennessee Development Council, Worldwide Water Foundation and We Care America. Jim along with two other men were instrumental in starting the Southeast TN chapter of Tres Dias based in East Brainerd. He has traveled to the Ukraine and Cambodia to speak on leadership topics. Jim has served on a number of fundraising committees including the Siskin Possibilities Luncheon, the Bryan College Scholarship Opportunity Dinner and Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga.

Jim would often remind us how important it was to be involved in our church and community and he lived it out as an example. He also talked about the importance of having a relationship with Jesus. Jim was very active for years at City Church of Chattanooga prior to his health issues.

He was a husband, a father, brother, “granpa”, a spiritual mentor, business mentor or associate, a boss and friend to many. Jim loved the Lord with all his heart and shared his love of the Lord with everyone around him. Jim wanted others to know Jesus as Lord of their life and to have a relationship with him. He will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lynda Chapman Sattler; four children, Christina Sattler, Joshua Sattler, Gary Chapman (Cristy), Krista Nix (Patrick); seven beautiful grandchildren that call him “Granpa” Jim, Emma Grace Nix Davis (JD), Haley Chapman, Bo Nix (Izzy), Caleb Nix, Canaan Chapman, Sara Nix, Tez Johnson; twin brother, Jack Sattler (Judy); sister, Julie Yarbrough; nieces, Heather Yarbrough (Shane Patton), Holli Yarbrough Blowers and several nephews and grand-nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at City Church of Chattanooga, 7122 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421.

A celebration of Jim’s life will follow at 4:00 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at the church with Pastor Mike Chapman officiating.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions may be made to the following: Hosanna Community- PO Box 958 Hixson, Tennessee 37343 or online at www.hosannacommunity.org. Chattanooga FCA- PO Box 338 Hixson, Tennessee 37343 or online at www.chattanoogafca.org/donate. Challenge Golf- 1104 Peerless Drive NW, Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 or online at www.challengegolf.org.

Please share your thoughts and memories online at:: www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com

Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel at 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.