James P. Ewell Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of James P. Ewell (Oakland, California), who passed away on February 14, 2023, at the age of 72, surrounded by his family. Jim was born on July 24, 1950 in Philadelphia, PA. He was the cherished oldest brother of "The Eight" - survived by his 7 siblings Mary Ellen Strohl (Doug), Nancy Ewell Kelley, Theresa Bahnick (David), Ken Ewell (Lisa), Meg Kranzley (Eric) Robert Ewell (Maria) and John Ewell (Lynne), as well as 22 beloved nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents; James P Ewell and Mary (Bradley) Ewell.
Jim graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School in 1968. He was a US Navy veteran, and after completing his military service he moved to the San Francisco bay area in 1977, where he lived for the rest of his life. Jim spent his early career bartending in the hospitality industry and during that time period he met many of those who would become his lifelong friends. Jim entered sobriety in 2001 and afterwards he became actively involved in AA. He earned his Bachelor Degree from New City College in San Francisco and he went on to work directly with veterans at the VA center in Oakland, California - a career that he loved for over 22 years. Jim had an effortless cool about him. He was a voracious reader, a lover of great music, and a world traveler with a warmth and wit that made his circle of friends expand around the world.
Memorial services will be held for Jim on both the east and west coasts in late spring and summer. These dates are still being determined but will be announced on his Facebook page. The Ewell family wants to make both of these services a true celebration of his life, as well as an opportunity to share all of your personal stories and remembrances. While we are all deeply affected by this loss, it is somehow fitting that a man with such a huge heart and capacity for love would leave this life on Valentines Day - and we will miss him forever.
