4/24/1941-3/21/2026
Rev. James Kelly Mallett, 84, a native of Chattanooga, TN, passed away at Alexian Rehabilitation and Healthcare of Signal Mountain, TN on March 21,2026.
Rev. James (Jim) Mallett was preceded in death by his father Louis James Mallett and by his mother Ruth Marie Campbell Mallett. He leaves behind his siter Patricia Ann Mallett Mayo, his aunt Jean Campbell Glassco, and many cousins. Rev. James Mallett was a retired Catholic Priest for the diocese of Nashville, TN.
He graduated from St. Bernard’s Seminary College in 1963 whereupon he was sent to the North American College in Rome Italy where he attended the Gregorian University for 4 years and graduated with a doctorate in philosophical theology. He was ordained on December 17,1966 at St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican.
Rev. Mallett returned to the US in 1967 and served as an assistant pastor in Memphis, TN. Two years later he returned to Chattanooga and became Chaplin at Newman Club at UTC. He also served as Chaplin at Memorial Hospital and implemented a policy of rotating ministers from different denominations to serve in that location. Rev. Mallett became assistant pastor at St. Peter and Paul Church and spent some time additionally teaching at Notre Dame High School where he is remembered as an inspiring educator.
His next role was that of Chancellor for the diocese of Nashville. He went on to become Vicar General and Vicar Judiciary. He took a yearlong leave of absence to attend a Church Administration course at Catholic University in Washington DC, obtaining a master's degree.
He was elected treasurer of the Canon Law Society and delivered as address to the secondary school system conference in New Orleans while Pope John Paul II was there. Because of all the questions related to civil las he decided to obtain a law degree which he did from Vanderbilt Law School, thereby receiving his second doctorate.
Rev. Mallette felt a call to serve as a pastor and so he renounced his administrative position to become a beloved pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church in Nashville. After many years of faithful service, he retired and returned to Chattanooga. He took a position as an instructor at UTC rotating classes between Human Rights and International Law.
He recently had an ordination anniversary celebration at Alexia Village on December 17,2025. Many of his classmates and other dear friends and relatives were able to attend along with Rev. Jim Vick and Rev. Dexter Brewer. He greatly wanted to make it to his 60th anniversary but encountered ill health in recent months.
Jim will be remembered as one who loved to serve, whether it be on an individual basis or as a pastor or teacher. His desire was always to sympathize, uplift, and treat everyone with kindness. He has said that kindness was the secret of his success. He was also a born teacher and loved helping students gain understanding. Many remember him lovingly as the best teacher they ever had.
Much love and appreciation go with him. He is one who made a difference in this world to help good prevail.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday April 1, 2026, from 10-11 AM in the Holy Family Hall at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 501 S. Moore Road in Chattanooga with funeral mass to follow at 11:00 AM with interment to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
There will be a visitation on Friday April 17, 2026, from 9-10 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church in Nashville followed by a memorial service at 10 AM.