Local Architect Serves As 1st Counselor In LDS Church

James Wayne Caughman is First Counselor in the Downtown Chattanooga Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church is at 407 E. 5 th St, Chattanooga, TN 37403 and meets each Sunday from 9 a.m-12 p.m. Visitors are welcome.

Previously, Mr. Caughman served as president of the Elders Quorum (for men ages 18 and up), Branch Clerk, and Branch Mission Leader. For two years, he and his wife were also called to assist in the Dayton, TN Branch of the LDS Church. In each of these positions, Mr. Caughman has served without pay, as the LDS Church is an organization of volunteers.

Until age 18, Mr. Caughman lived in Meridian, Ms. In 1966, he graduated from LSU with a degree in Architecture. Throughout the 1960s, he served in the Air National Guard as a parachute rigger. In 1975, Mr. Caughman opened his architectural practice in Chattanooga, and has been part of Chattanooga’s growth as the city has moved from “Smog City” to “Gig City”. Since 2003, Mr. Caughman has also been a regular volunteer for Signal Mountain Social Services and has served on the Board of Directors for the downtown YMCA. However, Mr. Caughman’s greatest achievement is his marriage to Cathryn Crandall. Wayne and Cathryn have been married for 54 years and have two sons – Jay and Crandall – and three granddaughters – Chloe, Sophie and Sadie. The Caughmans' son, Jay, is now continuing Caughman & Son; Caughman Architects.