James Iceluis Chatman – Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force

Contemporary press report:

James Iceluis Chatman, 71, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and computer company executive whose philanthropic efforts included the Grandfather's Group, an organization that provides mentoring for African American boys, died of lung cancer January 3, 1998 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia.

Colonel Chatman founded Technology Applications Inc. and was its chief executive from 1977 to 1993. He sold the business to DynCorp in 1993 and served on DynCorp's board of directors until his death.

Since 1993, Col. Chatman had turned his attention to philanthropic activities and established the James I. Chatman Fund. The fund's principal outreach program has been the Grandfather's Group: A Mirror for the Men of the Future, which seeks to provide role models for boys ages 5 to 8.

Colonel Chatman was born in Happy Bend, Ark. He graduated from St. Louis University and received a master's degree in business administration from the Air Force Institute of Technology.

He served for 24 years in the Air Force and was assistant for logistics with the Space Transportation System before his retirement in 1977.

He was a member of the board of directors of Inova Alexandria Hospital and the Northern Virginia Community Foundation. He also was a member of the Northern Virginia chapter of the Urban League and the Northern Virginia Minority Business & Professional Association.

His marriages to Joyce McLean Chatman and Mae Morris Chatman ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife, Lavern Jackson Chatman of Alexandria; four children from his first marriage, James Jr., Christopher and Gregory, all of Los Angeles, and Delle Chatman of Chicago; his mother, Aloia Adams of Little Rock; and three grandchildren.

CHATMAN, JAMES I. (71) 

Philanthropist, high-technology entrepreneur, and retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, departed this life at his home in Alexandria, VA, on Saturday, January 3, 1998. His wife, Lavern Jackson Chatman, was at his side. He is also survived by four children from his first marriage, James Jr., Christopher and Gregory, all of Los Angeles, CA and Delle Chatman of Chicago, IL; his mother, Aloia Adams of Little Rock, AR; and three grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 640 E Street, SW, Washington, DC on Monday, January 12 at 1 p.m. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the James Chatman Fund/Grandfathers Group c/o NVCF, PO Box 9851, McLean, VA 22102.

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