Mr. James Melvin Stakely, age 87, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, departed this life Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Melvin was born January 29, 1937, in Monroe County, Tennessee, a son of the late John Howard and Ocie Mae Watson Stakely.  He was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Michael Doyal, brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond E. and Beverly Stakely, Charles J. Stakely, James L. and Shirley Stakely, Margaret Stakely, brothers-in-law, James Davis, Joe McMahan, and Michael E. Layne, mother-in-law, Nellie M. Westmoreland.

Melvin was a 1955, graduate of Lakeview High School and attended UTC. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines. He was an HVAC technician and owner of Melvin Stakely Company for over forty plus years. He was a member of Ridgedale Baptist Church, 1831 Hickory Valley Rd., where he was member of the Servants Sunday School Class.

He is survived by his loving wife, Darlene Westmoreland Stakely, and would have celebrated their forty-first wedding anniversary on, Sept 3, 2024; daughters and son-in-law, Karen D. Stakely of Ringgold, GA, Pamela D. and Rick Haggard of LaFayette, GA, and Angela D. Doyal of Chattanooga, TN; son, Robert D. Stakely and Sherri Cason both of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren, Travis and Codi Snow, Ta'Lenna and Ricky Broome; great-grandchildren, Cheyenne Broome, Colt Broome, and Jessi Mae Snow; brothers and sister-in-law, Robert C. Stakely of Chattanooga, TN, Mitchell Stakely of Hixson, TN, Joyce Stakely of Rising Fawn, GA, and Pearl M. Layne of Jasper, TN; sisters, Melgena S. Davis of Chattanooga, TN, Glenda S. Defriese and Vivian McMahan both of East Ridge, TN; nephews and niece, Nicholas King, Kristy and Jason Barnhill; several other nieces and nephews.

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. James Melvin Stakely will be held Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. at Ponders Brainerd Chapel with his niece, Kristy Barnhill and his pastor, Reverend Doug Plumlee officiating. He will be laid to rest at Chattanooga National Cemetery following the service at 2:00 p.m. with Travis Snow, Ricky Broome, Nicholas King, Jason Barnhill, Mike Stakely and Tracy Stakely honored to serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Brainerd Chapel after 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning until the service hour.

Arrangements entrusted to Ponders Brainerd Chapel, 4203 Brainerd Rd Chattanooga, TN. www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org (423)531-4002