Colonel James Raymond Stewart, USAF Retired, passed away on January 23, 2020 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, surrounded by his family. He was 83.
Col. Stewart (who is Jim to his friends) was born to Pearl and Thomas Stewart in Burnham, Pennsylvania, where he was raised along with his twin brother, Tommy. He graduated from Burnham High School in 1954, enlisted in the US Navy and served 3 years on the USS Orion. After his discharge, he attended Juniata College where he obtained a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. Shortly after graduating, he entered the US Air Force.
His distinguished career in the Air Force spanned 26 years, beginning with a B52 crew in the 99th Bomb Wing at Westover AFB, Massachusetts, where he flew over 250 combat missions in Vietnam, and ending as Director of Command Control and Communications Technology for the United States Air Force, Headquarters USAF, the Pentagon. In the years between he served as action officer in war planning at Headquarters Strategic Air Command; action/executive officer at Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon; Executive Officer, Joint Chief of Staff, the Pentagon to Director Command Control, J6; Commander of the 450 man 1928th Comm. Group, MacDill AFB, Florida supporting the US Central Command and 56th TAC Fighter Wing; and Asst. Deputy Chief of Staff, Command and Control, United States Forces Korea in Yongsan, charged with the planning and support of the defense of the Korean peninsula. His many decorations include 12 Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.
After retiring from the Air Force, Jim extended his career in the private sector, working for the defense contracting firm, ManTech International and Honeywell Corporation. His final retirement came in 2007.
His caring and funny nature made him a friend to many. And his family, who adored him, will never forget his huge heart, humor and relentless love.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Stewart, his son, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) James Michael Stewart and his son’s wife, Helen Marie Stewart. He is survived by his wife Charlotte, his children, Melinda Stewart Colonna (Bill), Jeffrey David Stewart (Angela) and Christopher Scott Stewart (Nicole) and his former wife and mother of his 4 children, Donna Stewart. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Ian Stewart, Peerce Stewart, Taylor Colonna, Meredith Colonna, Madeleine Colonna, David Stewart, Gavin Stewart, Aidan Stewart, Grayson Stewart and Sawyer Stewart.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in his memory, to the Fisher House Foundation, www.fisherhouse.org.
