James G. Sasser was remembered on Friday as a down-to-earth man who never turned his back on his friends.
The former state representative who served as chief of staff for Gov. Fob James during his second term died Friday afternoon at his home in Ozark. He was 84.
“He was a people person and he liked to solve problems for people,” said State Rep. Steve Clouse, who was elected in 1994 to the same district seat Sasser held from 1974 to 1986.
Sasser was a mentor to Clouse. “His son (James T. Sasser) and I are the same age and we’re best friends, so I grew up knowing him all my life,” Clouse said.
“He taught me a great deal about trying to work with both sides, trying to find a compromise,” Clouse said. “That’s what democracy’s all about, trying to find a compromise to get the best results for people.”
Sasser was born in Brantley and lived most of his life in Ozark.
He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and later retired from the Alabama National Guard.
He spent many years in public education, as football coach at Carroll High School, as principal at Ozark and D.A. Smith junior high schools, and as president of the former Alabama Aviation and Technical College.
Sasser represented District 93 in the Legislature, which includes portions of Dale and Houston counties.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until service time.
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