James Christopher Kilgore

He was born in Rockwood, Tennessee to the late Bertie Lee (Flynn) and Herman Kilgore, Sr.

Jim was a 1975 graduate of Oakdale High School and received his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Tennessee Technological University in 1984.

He was previously employed with Chrysler Defense, Lockheed Martin, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he was an engineer on the High Flux Isotope Reactor “HFIR”. He was highly respected in his role as a Senior Program Manager of Transformers at Tennessee Valley Authority from which he retired after more than 20 years of faithful service. Jim was a member of IEEE and Tennessee Valley Authority Retirees.

He will be remembered for his caring heart, quick wit, and his heartwarming smile, not to mention his piercing blue eyes. He was a lover of all things muscle cars, cats, ice cream and outer space.

Jim’s faith was strong and he believed deeply in his Lord.

His brother, Herman “Bub” L. Kilgore, Jr., and sister, Shannon Orlando Ruth Kilgore preceded him in death.

Survivors include his daughter, Savannah (Austin) Carter of Ringgold; his longtime friend and mother of his daughter, Lisa Kilgore of Charlotte, NC; sister, LeeAnne (Jim) Cordell of Piney, TN; bonus family, Jeri “Gay” and Eric Watts of Ringgold; and several cousins from the Sand Mountain, Alabama area.

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 1-3 PM. A memorial service will begin at 3:00 PM in the funeral home chapel.

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.