James Joseph Brewer

Captain James J. Brewer, U. S. Navy (Ret) died on 7/30/2017 at Balboa Navy Hospital in San Diego, CA of a sudden cardiac arrest. Capt. Brewer is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce M. Brewer, his brother Richard Brewer, and his daughter Julie Ann Brewer. He is survived by his sons Jim Brewer Jr. and wife Michelle of Fort Collins, CO, Jeffery Richard Brewer of San Diego, CA, and Jeremy Fred Brewer and wife Jacquie also of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by his grandchildren Joshua James Beisner and Breanna Sophia Brewer. Capt. Brewer was born on May 17, 1936 in Loveland, CO to Mr. Fred C. Brewer and Mrs. Leona G. (Tucker) Brewer. Capt. Brewer attended Loveland schools graduating in 1954 from Loveland High School where he was Student Body President. He also lettered in football and track and played trumpet in the high school band. Capt. Brewer went on to Colorado University Boulder and participated in Navy ROTC. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business finance and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Careers After graduation, Capt. Brewer was sent immediately to his first duty station the USS Toledo, a h eavy cruiser. During his initial two years of active duty Lieutenant Brewer completed two cruises to Westpac during which he qualified as an officer of the deck fleet steaming and the 8 inch turret officer. Upon his release from active duty he returned to Colorado where with the help of Mark Kiesling he became employed by Continental Oil Company. In 1968, after eight years with Conoco, then Lieutenant Commander Brewer volunteered for duty in Vietnam. He first went to command of the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Youngstown Ohio. In 1971 he was ordered to duty in the Republic of Vietnam as Senior Advisor at Ben Luc. In 1972 Lieut. Cmdr. Brewer was ordered to the headquarters of the Commandant of the 11th Naval District in San Diego. There he was promoted to the grade of Commander. Cmdr. Brewer in 1976 was ordered to duty on the staff of the Commander Naval Reserve Force in New Orleans. In 1979 he was ordered to be Chief of Staff of the Naval Reserve Readiness Command in Memphis Tennessee. There he was promoted to Captain and subsequently ordered in 1981 to command of the Naval Reserve Center in San Diego CA, the largest such center in the nation. Following this very successful command tour Capt. Brewer was ordered to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Total Force Training at the Commander Training Command in San Diego. In 1986 he retired from the Navy. Family Our father was an amazingly committed family man and the most incredibly loving and supportive spouse. He loved our mother all his life. Throughout his life he demonstrated God’s virtuous intent. By his example he showed us untiring commitment, unwavering love, true forgiveness, the virtue of hard work, independence, and an unyielding faith in the Lord. Honor, strength, courage, and humor he embodied. Our dad was a humble servant of God that also enjoyed getting to know people. He valued friendships both long term and situational. Wherever he went dad would strike up a conversation, feeling most accomplished if he could get a smile, a laugh, or offer a piece of advice. He loved people, his family, his country, and the Lord. With his wife Joyce they raised 4 children. His strong character and deep love of family continued into the next generation with his grandchildren Joshua and Breanna, both of whom he loved and cherished dearly. His family enjoyment was also exemplified in his consistent hosting of annual family gatherings during the holidays, making Sunday breakfasts, watching football together, attending athletic events, and finally by his choice of final resting place in Loveland next to Joyce and surrounded by 5 generations of the extended Brewer family. Commitments Capt. Brewer and wife Joyce were strongly committed to serving The Lord through their church at Shadow Mountain Community Church of Santee, CA. In 2005, they were baptized into the Christian faith at their church which solidified their following of Jesus. Capt. Brewer was also a lifelong member of Alcoholics Anonymous and consistently supported the Wounded Warriors Project. Contributions Contributions in the honor of James can be made to Alcoholics Anonymous, the American Cancer Society, and the Wounded Warrior Project.