James Robert Chasteen

Dr. James Robert Chasteen passed away peacefully at home on December 10th, 2024, at the age of 85. He was born on August 26, 1939, in a mining community in Jefferson County, Alabama. His parents, Vivian Bagwell Chasteen and James Troy Chasteen preceded him in death, as did his younger sister, Dorothy Chasteen Dorsett.

A visitation and Celebration of Life will be held in honor of James at Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Dothan, Alabama at 11:30am on Saturday, December 14th. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed on the Evergreen Presbyterian Facebook page. Following the service, the family will receive visitors in the sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Evergreen Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, the Respite Program at United Methodist Church, or the community college of your choice.

James received his BA from Howard College, his Masters in Guidance and Counseling and a Doctorate in Higher Education from the University of Alabama, and certification from the Harvard Institute for Management 1977.

James was a passionate educator, mentor, and leader throughout his career. His life was marked by deep dedication to his faith, to education, and to his family and friends. He cherished time with friends and family, and he particularly loved the many opportunities he had to travel with them around the United States and abroad. He also loved mentoring others and took immense pleasure in seeing those he worked with succeed in their professions. Over his career, he mentored seven women and men who later became college presidents, among many other flourishing mentees.

He began his journey teaching high school in Chelsea, Alabama, an experience that ignited his passion for education and desire for a career in that field. After earning his graduate degrees, James went to the University of Montevallo to teach as well as to establish their first counseling center. He then worked as Assistant to the President at Montevallo before being selected in 1976 to serve as President of Calhoun Community College in North Alabama at the young age of 37. James thrived as President and enjoyed his work immensely. Under his leadership, enrollment at Calhoun rose from 3,000 to 7,000 and the institutional budget quadrupled. During his tenure, James was widely beloved as President, as seen in the rare naming of a building, the Chasteen Student Center, while he was still the sitting President. His accomplishments at Calhoun led him to be named simultaneously as President of Athens State College (now Athens State University). He again flourished in this role, more than doubling enrollment and expanding the visibility and stature of the institution. Remarkably, as was the case with Calhoun, the computer center at Athens State was also named after him while he was in the Presidency as recognition of all he had accomplished.

James served in the dual role of President of two colleges until his retirement in 1990. During his years in North Alabama, he had the honor of serving as President of three different Chambers of Commerce in Decatur, Athens, and Huntsville, Alabama. While President of the two colleges, he also chaired the Council of Presidents for the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), a role he enjoyed. In 1990, they asked him to serve as Executive Director/CEO, and he and his wife moved to Kansas City, Missouri followed by relocation to Tulsa, Oklahoma. They enjoyed the adventures of living in new cities, and he embraced the opportunity for new work challenges. He retired from the NAIA in 1996, and he and his wife moved to her hometown of Dothan, Alabama, where they enjoyed a full community life with family and friends. He was a proud and involved member of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, dedicating his time as an Elder to the missions of the church. He was particularly devoted to the work of the food pantry and the difference it made in the community.

James is survived by his wife of 59 years, Melba Middleton Chasteen, his son David Chasteen (Kelly Chasteen) and his daughter Amy Chasteen (Joe Weinberg), and his sister Barbara Chasteen McMickens. Throughout his life James had a special love for children, delighting in spending time with them at church and at home. Nowhere was this love seen more than when he became a grandfather, “Papa,” to his first grandchild, Mina, in 2000, then Walker, in 2003; their childhoods were filled with his presence and adoration.  He is survived by them as well as numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren who followed in recent years. He also leaves many treasured friends, his church community, neighbors, and colleagues with whom he shared time everywhere he lived.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Robert Chasteen, please visit our floral store.