James Franklin Ewing, Sr.

James Franklin Ewing, Sr. of Chester, MD, died on March 5, 2015, at Anne Arundel Medical Center. He was 92. Born on the Kent Point Farm in Stevensville, MD, on January 30, 1923, he was the son of Raymond Leonard and Katie Cray Ewing. He graduated from Stevensville High School in 1939, never missing a day of school in all 11 years. He worked at the local general store and enlisted in the National Guard before being integrated into the Army in February 1941 and serving his country in World War II. Mr. Ewing went ashore on Omaha Beach on D-Day, moving on into France where he was wounded, awarding him the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged on June 16, 1945, and he returned home where he worked as the assistant post master in Grasonville for two years. On New Years Day 1947, he married Isabel Lowery Nacrelli. They resided briefly in Grasonville, moving to Chester in 1948. In 1964 they built a home in Marling Farms where they lived together until her death in December 2014. They owned and operated the Circle Restaurant in Chester, first opening their doors on November 19, 1952, making $19 their first day. The restaurant closed in 1979 after 27 years of operation. They spent their winters in Fort Lauderdale, FL, until 2007 when they stayed in Maryland year-round. In 1957, Mr. Ewing began driving a school bus. Over more than 25 years, he would carry hundreds of students to both Stevensville and Queen Anne’s County High Schools and would become their ‘Mr. Jimmy’ mentor, disciplinarian, and most of all, friend. Mr. Ewing was an active member of the Christ Church in Stevensville, serving in the past as senior warden and vestryman. He was a charter member and early Commander of VFW Post 7464. He was a board member of Stevensville Cemetery and Queen Anne’s County Plumbing Board. He was a member of the Stevensville High School Alumni Association and greatly enjoyed their annual dinner/dance. He loved gardening, crabbing, Baltimore sports, RVing, attending church, and time with friends. Most of all, he loved his family and his beloved Isabel. He is survived by three daughters, Diane Rowe (Donald), Claudia Jewell (Charles), and Beth Coppage (Alan); one son, James Ewing, Jr. (Bobbie Kaye); grandchildren, Lauren; Chuck, Gretchen; Nick, Tucker, Katie, Missy. Joann, Donnie, Jamie, and 12 great-grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his brothers, Thomas and Ray. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, 106 Shamrock Road, Chester, MD from 5-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Christ Church in Stevensville, MD, at 11 a.m. Interment will be private. The family requests contributions to be directed to Christ Church Parish, 830 Romancoke Rd., Stevensville, MD 21666.

James Franklin Ewing, Sr.

January 30, 1923 - March 5, 2015