James Curtis McChristian Jr.

James Curtis "J.C.” McChristian, Jr. passed away peacefully the morning of October 6, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. J.C. was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas on August 11, 1935 to James Curtis McChristian, Sr. and Thurza Virginia Shreve. He attended the University of Arkansas before serving in Korea as a Sergeant in the Marine Corps. On June 27th, 1964, he married the love of his life, Carolyn Joyce Gattis. They soon welcomed two daughters, Janet and Rebecca. His family would always remain the most important part of his life. After beginning his financial career in the Arkansas poultry industry, he went on to become a founding member and the Chief Financial Officer of Systematics, Incorporated. A pioneering data processing firm at a time when computers were groundbreaking rarities, Systematics was later acquired by Alltel Corporation and is today a part of Fidelity Information Systems. J.C. was a similarly remarkable civic leader. As President of the Fort Smith Rotary Club, he was especially proud of their success vaccinating children against polio worldwide. He was a 33rd degree Master Mason in the Scottish Rite. A spiritual man and lifelong Methodist, J.C. was a member of the Fort Smith First United Methodist Church and, upon moving to Cleveland, Tennessee in 2013, attended Broad Street United Methodist Church. A fiercely loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, J.C. had an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball. He possessed a magnificent eye for model train layouts and an infectious sense of humor. He was an avid history buff, the family historian, and a most beloved grandfather who never failed to make his children and grandchildren laugh with him. He will be profoundly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. J.C. is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn (née Gattis); his daughters, Janet McChristian Viguet and Rebecca McChristian McIntire, and his sons-in-law, Robert Viguet, Jr. and Edward McIntire, Jr., and his grandchildren, Meridith Viguet Mathews, Elise Viguet, John Viguet, Jay McIntire, and Maddox McIntire. The family will observe a private graveside service at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Broad Street United Methodist Church, designated for the Chancel Choir or the Unity Center.