James Christopher Chris Deisley

Chris Deisley was born in Lancaster, PA on June 2, 1959. He was the second son of Ruth and William Deisley. He is survived by Laura, his wife, and Will and Caroline, their two children. Chris also is survived by Ruth (mother), David (brother) and Janet (sister-in-law), Lara (niece), Daniel (nephew), Helen and Jim Walker (Laura’s parents), Carol and Michael Bova (Laura’s sister and brother-in-law) and Emily and Patrick (Carol and Michael’s children). William Deisley (father) and Rose Deisley (niece) preceded Chris in death.

Chris moved to Atlanta in 1982 and began his career in banking with Trust Company where he met Laura in the bank’s training program. Chris held progressively more responsible commercial and corporate banking roles at SunTrust. In 2007, Chris joined Atlantic Capital Bank as a founding shareholder, serving as Senior Vice President at the time of his death.

Chris loved sports, sharing this passion with Laura, Will and Caroline as well as many golfing, running, and workout companions. Chris completed the New York Marathon in 1997 and numerous Peachtree Road Races. He volunteered with the Northside Youth Organization, coaching Caroline in softball and serving as a commissioner of the softball league. Chris was an avid golfer and had the pleasure of playing the Master’s course with friends last year.

Chris enjoyed traveling with family and friends, whether to a premier golf course; to Italy, Spain and France with Laura; to India to see the Taj Mahal with Ruth; to Haida Gwaii to salmon fish with David, Daniel, and Will; to the beaches of the Carolinas, Florida, California, or Mexico on school break vacations; or to see a ball game with Caroline or Will. His ability to discover the best local restaurants at home and abroad meant that Chris was responsible for choosing where and what to eat. Frequently, Will’s or Caroline’s entire softball, basketball, baseball, or cross-country team, with parents, would take over a small, backroad diner on the way home from an away game to enjoy the county’s best po-boy, bar-b-que, crab, or pie.

Chris and his family have been members of the Northside United Methodist Church for many years. Laura, Will and Caroline especially appreciate the caring support of their church, the Lovett School, and Atlantic Capital Bank communities. A memorial service will be held at the church at 2799 Northside Drive Northwest on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 2 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure, Inc.; The Piedmont School of Atlanta; or the American Cancer Society.