Lt Col James R. Crews, USAF (ret)

James Ronald Crews age 98 passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026 in Towson MD with his family by his side.

James Crews was born on February 23 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to Mildred Mooney and James J Crews. The family later moved to Miami, Florida and then to New York City, New York. James enjoyed the boy scouts and achieved the honor of Eagle Scout in high school. He graduated from Haaren High School in New York City in 1945.

At age 17 while still in high school in New York City, James joined the military service in WWII as he wanted to fly airplanes. He was sent to Drew University to participate in a military prep program. He then enrolled at Stevens Institute in a technical military prep program to prepare for enrollment at the United States Naval Academy.

James received a congressional appointment to the Naval Academy from a member of congress from New York State and entered the US Naval Academy in 1948. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the US Naval Academy. James requested to join the US Air Force and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt USAF upon graduation from the Naval Academy in June 1952.

James was trained and served as a pilot in the US Air Force from 1952-1958. During that time, his active-duty stations included: Greenville Mississippi AFB for training; Reese AFB Lubbock, Texas; Parks AFB, Dublin California; Mather AFB, Sacramento California. He also served overseas at the end of the Korean War where he was stationed in Japan and flew reconnaissance missions as well as troop carrier missions.

After leaving active duty in 1958, James remained active in the US Air National Guard for 20 years. During that time, he was stationed in Baltimore Maryland as a pilot with the 135th Air Commando Group with the Maryland Air National Guard.

During his career in the US Air Force and the Maryland Air National Guard as a pilot, James was promoted through the ranks of Captain, Major and Lt Colonel. James flew many single and multi-engine planes, small and larger planes, troop carriers, and light bombers including the following:

T6 Texan, T28 Trojan, and T33 Shooting Star, C46 Commando, SA16B Albatross, U10A, U10B, and U10D Super Couriers, and O2A and O2B Skymasters.

James Crews retired from the US Air Force (Reserve) MD Air National Guard as a Lt Colonel in 1988. He then worked as an electronics manufacturer’s technical representative and accounts manager from 1958 until the 1980's.

James married Gretchen B. Matthews of Baltimore Maryland in 1952. They met through mutual friends while he was a midshipman at the Naval Academy. They were married in Baltimore in June of 1952 following graduation from the Naval Academy. James and Gretchen were married for 60 years before Mrs. Crews passed away in 2012.

James Crews lived in the Towson area for more than 50 years and was a member of St David’s Episcopal Church of Roland Park. He was a member of the Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge in Baltimore and a member of the St. George's Society of Baltimore. James had many interests and hobbies including flying planes, traveling, fishing, boating, reading, golf, squash, tennis, swimming and enjoying his basset hound dogs and walking. James has been a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many!

James Crews was honored in February 2026 with a Salute to Service Tribute conducted by a team of Gilchrist staff and military veteran volunteers.

James is survived by three daughters and 6 grandchildren: Louise Catlin and her children: daughter Gretchen Catlin and her husband Valon Kafexholli and son Jamie Catlin and his partner Eric Roberts; Virginia Crews and her daughter Marcie Schwartz and her husband Ben Warner; and Katie Rossman and her husband Paul Rossman and their children Jenna Rossman, Paul Rossman and his wife Aylish Ptak Rossman, and Emma Rossman and many dear friends.

The family will receive friends at Peaceful Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Center, P.A., 2325 York Road, Timonium, MD, 21093 on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 PM and 5:00 - 7:00 PM.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Davids Church, 4700 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21211 on Saturday August 22, 2026, TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Maryland ASPCA.

Please share online condolences with the family by signing his guestbook through www.peacefulalternatives.com.