James Vernon Sabin

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, James Vernon Sabin, a loving husband, devoted parent, accomplished engineer, and extraordinary human being. He left this world peacefully on August 26, 2025 at the age of 89, surrounded by the love of his family.

Jim was born and raised in Waukomis, Oklahoma, playing baseball and basketball at the high school. Upon graduation, he was accepted into his beloved Oklahoma State University where he majored in Electrical Engineering, continuing on to earn a Masters at SMU. Jim was gifted with a brilliant mind whose passion for innovation left a lasting impact on everyone he worked with. His career was not just a profession—it was a calling. Through decades of dedication, he inspired countless colleagues, mentored young engineers, and approached every challenge with wisdom, precision, and curiosity.

This career choice brought him to Fort Worth, Texas and Convair, later General Dynamics, and today Lockheed. Most importantly, those travels brought him to a tiny boarding house in west Fort Worth. As it turned out, Daisy Penn, the owner of the boarding house, had a granddaughter who needed help in Geometry. That granddaughter was Patricia Dianne Penn, the love of his life. They shared 65 amazing years together and four children.

Jim’s greatest role was a deeply loving and proud father to his four children: Virginia, Amy, Jennifer and Chris. His strength, patience, and quiet guidance shaped us into who we are today. He taught us how to think critically, love deeply, and live with integrity.

Jim was a devout Catholic and turned to the Lord in all things. It was a common occurrence for him to tell others he prayed for them and encourage them to do the same for him.

His legacy lives on not only in the circuits and Support Systems he helped build and the lives he touched, but in the hearts of his children and all who knew him.

We will miss his gentle spirit, his steady hand, and his unwavering love. He is survived by his dearest wife, Patricia Dianne Penn Sabin, his favorite daughter, Jennifer (Randy) Collins, his favorite son, Chris (Lori) Sabin, and Chris Chapin, and his grandchildren Jayde Sabin, Noah Collins and Amy Sophia Collins, and his little buddy, Radar. He is preceded in death by his parents Walkley and Agnes Sabin and his favorite daughters, Amy Chapin and Virginia Sabin.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at St. Andrew Catholic Church with burial following at Greenwood Memorial Park.  And finally, a gathering at his favorite place, the Dock at Jennifer’s.  All are welcome to join in honoring and celebrating a life well lived.

S panem Bohem, Daddy!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catholic Charities (catholiccharitiesfortworth.org) or Saving Hope Rescue (savinghoperescue.org).