James “Wayne” Caughman passed away peacefully in Chattanooga on September 12, 2024, surrounded by his wife and sons.
Wayne was born on February 19, 1941, in Tupelo, Mississippi to Earl Wayne Caughman and Sadie Margaret Merz Caughman.
The direction of Wayne’s life was forever altered at age two by the death of his father after Earl was involved in a train accident. Wayne, his older sister Kay, and mother moved to Meridian Mississippi to be near family. Wayne took responsibility very early in life to help support his family and ensure he always had a little money in his pocket. His first job at age six was at a neighborhood grocery store carrying groceries home for customers. At age seven he became a shoeshine boy after learning the art from a teenage mentor. Many odd jobs followed through Wayne’s childhood. It was a fateful day when Wayne crossed paths with a man in a stylish suit parking his beautiful new vehicle. Wayne was impressed and asked the stranger what he did for a living. When the man responded that he was an architect, Wayne decided on the spot that he would one day become an architect. Later, as a high school student, Wayne convinced a local architect to hire him to work in the afternoons and the experience solidified his career choice.
Wayne met his wife, Cathryn “Cathy” Crandall, at Meridian High School. Wayne was fascinated by the contemporary design of Cathy’s home, which stood out in their small town. Wayne attended Louisiana State University and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in architecture from University of Southwestern Louisiana. Cathy and Wayne married in 1963.
Cathy and Wayne moved to Signal Mountain in 1965 when Wayne accepted a position at architecture firm, Derthick and Henley. Later, he joined the practice of Selmon T. Franklin before opening his own architecture firm. Over Wayne’s long career, he designed hundreds of homes and commercial buildings in the area. His projects were published frequently in magazines and newspapers. Clients sought out Wayne for his expertise and love of contemporary architecture. Wayne thrived on the challenge of designing homes and commercial buildings sited on difficult topography. He was exceptionally gifted at placing buildings on property to maximize the connection to nature. Wayne’s talent made a positive and lasting impact on architecture in the Chattanooga region.
Wayne and Cathy raised their sons, Jay Wayne Caughman and James “Crandall” Caughman, on Signal Mountain. Wayne encouraged his sons to pursue their passions, whatever they may be. After Jay joined Wayne’s architecture practice in 1995, Wayne changed the company’s name to Caughman and Caughman Architects.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wayne enjoyed serving in a variety of capacities. Wayne especially enjoyed his church volunteer service in Dayton, Tennessee with his wife, Cathy.
Wayne was a loving and fun “Pop” to his three granddaughters, Chloe, Sophie, and Sadie. He delighted in picking out the perfect Christmas gift for each granddaughter when they were young. The girls have wonderful memories of many picnic adventures with a fire along the creek in Grandma Cathy and Pop’s backyard and Pop scoping wild blackberry bushes for the perfect time to pick ripe berries.
Wayne is survived by Cathy, his beloved wife of 61 years, sons Jay Caughman (Lara Holden Caughman), Signal Mountain, TN and Crandall Caughman (Vicky Martin Caughman), Chattanooga, TN; sister Kay Caughman Stanton Reed, Meridian, MS; granddaughters Chloe Caughman Read (Curtis) Augusta GA, Sophie Caughman Bucklein (Nate) Orem, UT, and Sadie Caughman, Signal Mountain, TN; great-grandsons Knox John Read and Barrett Curtis Read (arriving Oct 2024), Augusta, GA.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1160 Ridgeway Ave., Signal Mountain.
Wayne’s family will receive friends prior to the service at the church, at 10 a.m.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.