James Allen Fischer

Psalm 116:15: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.”

March 24th, 1941 - May 11th, 2026

With a legacy of love and laughter, a passion for his family and church, and a devotion to helping others, James Allen Fischer of Kingsport, TN, age 85, passed away on May 11th, 2026 surrounded by his family at Holston Valley Medical Center following a brief illness.

Jim was a devoted husband, son, brother, grandfather, friend, and, above all, a loving and dedicated father. A native of Norton, Virginia, he spent his adult life in the Colonial Heights community of Kingsport, Tennessee. Jim graduated from John I. Burton High School in Norton in 1959, attended Clinch Valley College in Wise, Virginia for two years, and later earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech in 1964. That same year, he began a distinguished 35-year career with Eastman Chemical Company, where he worked until retiring in 1999. Also in 1964, Jim married the love of his life, Sue Culbertson, and together they built a family with their four children: David, Pam, Marcie, and Steven.

Jim became a member of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church in 1967 and remained a faithful and active servant of the church throughout his life. He served as an elder and was deeply involved with the Buildings and Facilities Committee, caring for the church as though it were a second home. Outside of church, Jim had a passion for snow skiing, taking many memorable trips to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada with close friends and sharing his love of the sport with his sons and their families. He also loved basketball and organized weekly open gym gatherings at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, playing enthusiastically in his younger years and later enjoying the role of devoted supporter and encourager from the sidelines. A lifelong fan of Virginia Tech athletics, Jim proudly cheered on the Hokies in every sport through every victory and defeat.

Jim devoted his life to serving others through numerous organizations and personal acts of kindness. Beginning in the early 1990s, when his son Steven joined the Boy Scouts, Jim started what would become more than 30 years of dedicated service as an adult leader and church liaison for Troop 48 at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church. He was also deeply committed to Holston Habitat for Humanity, helping build its very first house in 1986 and continuing as a major volunteer for more than four decades. As a member of the Lions Club of Kingsport for over 30 years, Jim held several leadership roles, served on the Board of Directors, and contributed to projects such as the Turtle Derby and the eyeglass recycling program. Beyond his involvement in these organizations, Jim quietly supported countless individuals and families throughout his life.

Jim was greeted in Heaven by his parents, Frank and Rose Fischer; his sister, Ann Williams; and his beloved daughter, Pamela Fischer.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sue Culbertson Fischer; his son, David Fischer and wife Misty of Kingsport; his daughter, Marcie Becker and husband Ben of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; his son, Steven Fischer and wife Brooke of Kingsport; and his sister, Pauline Wells and husband Robert. He also leaves behind the light of his life—his cherished grandchildren, Sydney, Parker, Megan, Matthew, Aiden, and Elliott—as well as several dearly loved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, Tennessee, with a service to follow at noon. Following the service, the family will remain in the sanctuary to welcome friends and share memories and stories celebrating Jim’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church of Kingsport, Tennessee, or to Holston Habitat for Humanity in honor of Jim’s enduring legacy of faith and service.