Col. James L. Sachtleben

Col. James Lee Sachtleben, 76, of Garrison, Texas passed away on Saturday June 3, 2023 while working on his property. James was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on March 22, 1947 to Mr. Chester Lee Sachtleben and Mrs. Emma Maurine Sachtleben (Weber). Funeral services will be held for James Sachtleben on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM, at the First Christian Church Nacogdoches with Rev. Terry Hodge officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Laird Funeral Home.

James grew up in Nacogdoches and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1965 before attending Texas A&M University and earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. While at A&M, he was introduced by a mutual friend to Vicki Darlene Schultz, a student at Sam Houston State University. The two were married on August 29, 1970, and began their 45-year marriage that would produce three children, six grandchildren and many fond memories.

James’ patriotism and passion for serving others led him to a 31-year career in the United States Marine Corps. The Corps took James, Vicki and their family to many installations around the Country to include Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia; MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; and reserve units in Birmingham, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2001 after completing his final assignment as head of Naval ROTC at Texas A&M in College Station.

James was a natural leader and true Marine in every sense. Tough, fearless, disciplined, compassionate and humble are words fellow Marines use when describing the Colonel. He was known as a commander that held everyone to the same standard, stood up for what was right regardless of the consequences, and went out of his way to mentor young Marines. He was proud of his many accomplishments over his military career, but his command of 5th Battalion – 11th Marines during Operation Desert Storm had special significance.

After the passing of his beloved wife Vicki in 2016, and returning home to Garrison, James focused on leaving a legacy for his kids, grandkids and his community. No grandchild’s sporting event, dance recital or play was too small or too far away for PawPaw Sach to attend. He loved his kids and grandchildren dearly and worked tirelessly improving his multiple properties so they would have a special place to enjoy the outdoors and gather as a family. James was always the first in line to help those in need and to serve his community. He served as the Chairman of the Trustees for Garrison First Methodist Church and was Municipal Judge for the City of Garrison. He was especially proud of the 8,000+ hours that he volunteered planning, sourcing parts, designing and building a restored cotton gin at the Millard’s Crossing Historic Village.  

James Sachtleben never met a stranger; had a great sense of self-deprecating humor; was one of the hardest workers around; could build almost anything; was always willing to give his time and money to those in need; deep down enjoyed being the target of his family’s jokes and gags; sometimes had a short temper, but was always quick to forgive; loved history and genealogy; was staunchly conservative; passionate about his Aggie sports; held an undying kinship to the Marine Corps; and loved his family above all else. James will be profoundly missed by his children and grandchildren that are forever grateful for the lifetime of love, joy, and teaching that he provided.

James is survived by his sons, Brett Sachtleben & wife, Kimberly of Houston and Sean Sachtleben & wife, Laura of Houston; daughter, Kristen Stagner & husband, Aaron of Manvel; grandchildren, Erich Sachtleben, Anna Sachtleben, Quinn Sachtleben and Rylan Sachtleben all of Houston and Reagan Stagner and Victoria Stagner both of Manvel; sister, Rosemary Sullivan of Lufkin; brother-in-law, Alan Schultz & wife, Jamye of Nacogdoches; sister-in-law, Becki Medley of Nacogdoches; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends who love him and will miss him tremendously.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Vicki Sachtleben; parents, Chester and Emma Maurine Sachtleben and brothers-in-law, Leonard Sullivan and Sam Medley. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY, 11797 or online at https://www.lustgarten.org.

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