James “Jim” Chastain Jr., 81, of Midlothian, Texas, passed away following acute renal failure.

Born in Iva, South Carolina, to James Chastain Sr. and Pauline Chastain (née Atkins) Jim was raised in a small town. In Iva, he became known as a standout athlete at Crescent High School who excelled in football and baseball, though basketball was his true love.

His passion for basketball carried him to North Georgia Technical College, where he played for two years before transferring to Shorter College. There, he continued playing four years of collegiate basketball while earning his degree in Business Administration. Jim set the school’s record for most rebounds — a record that still stands — and was inducted into the inaugural class of Shorter College’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Following graduation, Jim began his career in construction management and soon joined Owens Corning, where he served for 37 years. Rising from Site Coordinator to Site Construction Manager and Owner’s Representative, he oversaw major plant construction and expansion projects across the United States and internationally. His leadership included the $120 million Amarillo, Texas facility; significant projects in Columbia and Aiken, South Carolina; Fort Smith, Arkansas; numerous retrofits throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico; and international roles in Guangzhou, China, and Taloga, India.

From the gymnasiums of Iva to construction sites around the globe, Jim built a life defined by hard work, and opportunity. The tall basketball player from a small South Carolina town saw the world through determination and skill — living and working in Texas, Ohio, South Carolina, Arkansas, and abroad. What began on a small-town basketball court became a life of global impact, yet he never forgot where he came from.

While at Shorter, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Betty Chastain, and together they welcomed two children, Chad Chastain and Candy Mielke (née Chastain).

In later years, Jim was grateful to find love again with his loving wife of 25 years, Vivian Chastain, whom he affectionately referred to as “sunshine” Together they made their home in Midlothian, Texas and were devoted members of Cowboy Church of Ellis County, where they spent Sundays worshiping, listening to testimony, and living their faith in Christ. Through their Connect Group, Jim and Vivian developed lifelong friendships that became a cherished and meaningful part of their lives.

Even after retiring from Owens Corning, Jim never truly slowed down. He continued working as a Construction Site Manager for GCD International and later as an independent consultant on projects across North America. Years of basketball and long days walking construction sites eventually wore on his knees, but never on his drive. When not working, he enjoyed playing golf and was blessed through his travels to experience remarkable courses across the country. He also loved country music — especially Vince Gill and Alan Jackson — and could often be found singing along on long Texas drives with Vivian.

Jim was not a man of many words, and his hearing was not always the best — but if you needed advice, he would give it. If you had a project to tackle, he would research it, draw a plan, and help you get started. He believed each person must make their own choices, just as he made his. He wouldn’t tell you how to run your life but he would worry about you all the same. As a husband, father, and “paw paw”, he was steady and present — even when miles away.

The last decade of his life brought health challenges that slowed him more than he preferred, yet his determination remained. He will be remembered for his quiet strength, his love and devotion to those Clemson Tigers, his faith and enduring and unwavering love for his family and friends. He had many chapters in his life and developed many friendships and connections along the way, in his small town of Iva, on the basketball court, through work connections and his Church.

Jim is survived by his son, Chad Chastain and his longtime partner, Buddy Fields; his daughter, Candy Mielke (née Chastain) and her husband, Mike Mielke; and his grandson, Michael “MJ” Mielke.

He is also survived by his loving wife, Vivian Chastain; and her family, including Gina Cruce (née Pogue) and her husband, Guy Cruce; Trent Palmer; Victoria Guy (née Palmer); Cristina Balderrama; Sarah Roberts (née Pogue); and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews whom he loved so dearly. Regardless of the connection everyone was his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Chastain Sr. and Pauline Chastain (née Atkins), and Scott Pogue, Vivian’s son, who was dearly loved and remained an important part of Jim and Vivian’s lives.

A visitation will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2, at Cowboy Church of Ellis County, with the funeral service to begin at 2:00 p.m. A private graveside service for family will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, DeSoto, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s memory to CASA of Ellis County, Texans on Mission, or Eight Days of Hope — organizations that reflect his lifelong spirit of helping others.

On long Texas drives, Jim and Vivian would often sing together, knowing that even “up the road” could take a while. One of their favorite lines was, “I’ll be waiting on the farside banks of Jordan.” It is a comfort to know that his faith was steady, his race was run, and that he rests now on those distant shores waiting for his many friends and his family to join him.