James H. Cromwell

He was born in Chicago, IL on August 31, 1929 to Raymond and Carolyn (Rennick) Cromwell. Jim received a B.S. in history at Bradley University in Peoria, IL ’51. He was active in student affairs; serving as sports editor of the Bradley “Scout” and elected to membership in the Omicron Delta Kappa national honor society and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. He was also a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity where he later served as faculty advisor. Upon graduation, he served in the Korean War for the US Army, headquartered at the Far East Command. He held top secret security clearance with the Army in addition to receiving the Korean and United Nations Service Medals. Upon return from service, he earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois.

Jim is survived by his adored wife, Molly Cowan Cromwell whom he married on December 30th 1961. He was the loving father of James Cromwell, Jr. “Tad” (Janet), Marshall Cromwell (Edie), Mary Cromwell Krueger (Billy), Graham Cromwell Gray (Jim), and Amanda Cromwell (Megs); and attentive grandfather of Margret Cromwell Escobedo (Tony), James Cromwell, III, Alexander Cromwell, William Krueger, III, Wyatt Krueger, Connor Cromwell, Mckenna Cromwell, Calvin Gray, and Emery Gray. He is also survived by his niece, Lyn Cromwell (Liz); his nephew, Thomas Cromwell Jr.; and his extended family by marriage, the Eastmans, Novaks and Griffiths.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Carolyn; and his brother, Tom.

Jim loved his work in Congress and Capitol Hill - it was a period when both parties worked together to get things done. He held positions on the Hill for over 17 years including Chief of Staff for Bob Michel, Jack Kemp, and Don Ritter. He served as a staff member, with top secret security clearance, on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations. He was VP/Director of Government Affairs for General Acceptance Corporation of PA. Appointed by President Gerald Ford, he served as a Congressional Liaison Officer for the Department of Transportation where he managed the passage and enactment of the 1975 Highway Act. As a private sector leader for enactment of President Reagan’s Caribbean Basin Initiative, he was a lobbyist as Washington Representative for Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga.

As a research advocate for the Stanley Foundation Research Institute, he doubled the appropriation for the National Institute of Mental Health. He was senior legislative associate for the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI) and editor of the “Decade of the Brain”. On July 25, 1989, President Bush signed into law House Joint Resolution 174 declaring the 1990s as the “Decade of the Brain.” The declaration called upon all public officials and the people of the United States to observe the decade with appropriate programs and activities.

After semi-retiring in his 70’s he worked into his 80’s as director of employment placement services for The Leadership Institute acting as a career counselor for placing job seekers in the administration and other public policy organizations.

One of his proudest accomplishments was while his youngest daughter, Amanda, was a member of the Women's National Soccer team. Jim joined the campaign to include women’s soccer into the 1996 Olympics. With the support of Senator Dennis DeConcini of Arizona and congressman Jim Moran of Virginia; Cromwell helped author and successfully manage the passage and enactment of Senate Concurrent Resolution 127. The resolution passed and Congress drafted a letter to the Atlanta Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games and the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), asking for support. Cromwell got a major national petition drive going for young soccer players to send petitions to Atlanta. When the International Olympic Committee convened to approve, they added women’s soccer into the 1996 Olympics as a gold medal sport.

Aside from his professional career, Jim taught Sunday school, coached many BRYC basketball teams and various girls’ softball teams. He was an assistant coach for women’s soccer at Marymount University and also spent time as a social studies teacher and job coach for disabled students within the Fairfax County school system.

As a member of the Emil Verban Society for many years, he loved his Cubbies and got to see them win their World Series in 2016. He loved to fish and garden, but mostly coach or cheer for his children and grandchildren in whatever sport or endeavor they sought.

Jim loved God and the church. He loved nature and contributed to groups like Ducks Unlimited. He was one of the founders of the I Kings – Annandale United Methodist men’s group where he loved building friendships through fellowship and drew closer to God through the studies they shared. He was a committed member of I Kings since co-founding the group in 1998.

Jim was recently able to enjoy his ice cream cake for his 93rd birthday on August 31st with his family all together.

Special thanks to the staff at Beverly Assisted Living, Annandale; Poet’s Walk, Leesburg; and Goodwin House Hospice, Falls Church for providing the love and care for our father over the last 5 years.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at Demaine Funeral Home – Fairfax. 10565 Main St. Fairfax, VA 22030

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Annandale United Methodist Church. 6935 Columbia Pike Annandale, VA 22003

A graveside service with military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

Women’s Sports Foundation https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/support-us/#donate

The Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate