James "Jim" Lee Chastain

James “Jim” Lee Chastain, 85, of Bartlesville, died Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in Bartlesville. James was born the son of John Foreman and Ethel Mae (Jarvis) Chastain on December 4, 1939, in Ontario, CA. His mother died when he was an infant and he was raised by his uncle and aunt Lee and Ethel Jarvis, uniquely his aunt and mother did share the same name. Jim as he was known, was raised in Tahlequah. He played school sports and excelled at tennis, winning 48 straight matches, and has since been inducted into the Tahlequah High School Hall of Fame. After graduating in 1958, Jim joined the National Guard and did his Basic training before returning home. Jim and Sharon, high school sweethearts, married on May 15, 1959, and were blessed with 65 years of loving marriage. Jim furthered his education at NSU in Tahlequah, studying Math and Science, and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree. Phillips Petroleum Company came to the school to interview students. They were impressed with his academic ability and offered him a job in the computing department. The family moved to Bartlesville in 1965 and he retired after 27 years of service as a Senior Systems Analyst. Jim had a passion for traveling and he planned every aspect of every trip down to the last details. Together the couple visited every state, Europe, Australia and took cruises to various ports of call. The family benefited from his passion to travel and they took many memorable trips together, including Panama city, Disneyworld and he even rented a houseboat that he captained and cooked all of the meals for an exploration of Lake Powell. Together with Sharon, Jim enjoyed walks, attending the theater for plays and musicals, and most recently daily trips to the duck pond just to sit and quietly watch the many birds go about their day. In his free time, he would play golf or just sit outside in the sun. The kids remember his dedication to keeping a perfect yard. He came up with a unique way of controlling the dandelions that appeared even moments after mowing. Employing the labor of his family’s children, Jim would offer them one buck for a bag full of dug up dandelions, starting this tradition first with his children and then his grandchildren. He loved the Lord and was a Deacon at Highland Park Baptist Church. He was active in the ministries of the church. Jim was loved and will be missed dearly. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother; three sisters; his daughter, Karyn Rene’ Chastain Carder; and son, James Lee Chastain II. Jim is survived by his wife, Sharon Kay Chastain; daughters, Lori Lynn Bigby (Terry) and Cindy Lang (Jason); grandchildren, Brandon Bigby, Daniel Bigby (Stephanie), Luke Bigby (Chenea), Steven Bigby, Madison Chastain, Ford Chastain (Jasmine), Jordan Jefferson (Collin), Logan Crosslin (Sarika), Kenzie Hendricks (Dawson) Tanner Lang, Kristina Dodson and Kayla Perry; great-grandchildren, Grace, Olivia, Emilie, Audrey, Ayrwen, Edmond, Briella, Elizabeth, Mila, Solomon, Royal, Noah, Oliver, Lilian and Amara; along with numerous friends and relatives. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 16th from 10-8 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at Davis Family Funeral Home and Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Rd., Bartlesville, OK 74006, 918-333-7665. Services will be Tuesday, December 17th at 2:00 p.m. at Highland Park Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Scrivani officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home and Crematory Walker-Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

James "Jim" Lee Chastain

December 4, 1939 - December 11, 2024