Obituary of Jim Charles Colwell

On Wednesday, December 2, 2015, James Charles “Jim” Colwell, 63, formerly of Townville went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ whom he accepted at age 52. Jim was born in 1952, at Titusville to Pearl McElhaney Colwell of Venice, FL and the late William Colwell. He married Nancy Sansom on March 16, 1974, at the Townville Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Townville High School, class of 1970, where he was a member of the Senior Six and a star athlete lettering in football, basketball, volleyball and golf. He attended Ohio State University for one year where he played varsity volleyball. Jim also spent a year at University of Pittsburgh at Titusville and played for the UPT men’s basketball team, and continued at the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Jim was employed by the Lord Corporation in Saegertown for the past 40 years. He was a member of the Townville Baptist Church, and a former member of the Townville Lions Club. Sports played a big part of his life. In addition to his high school and college career, he played on the Meadville YMCA traveling volleyball team – traveling in the US and Canada. He was especially known for his defensive play. He also played on area softball teams with the Lord Corp., Hydetown, and Meadville Over 35 League. And his lifelong passion was golf. Having learned the game from his father, he also passed the sport on down to his sons and the 4 played together at local tournaments. He played in several leagues and most recently the Elder Statesmen Golf League at Green Acres, where he had a hole-in-one. In the late 1970’s he was a volunteer coach for the Allegheny men’s volleyball team. He also coached his sons in baseball at the different recreation levels in Townville. And also in their junior and high school years as a volunteer coach for the boys volleyball team at Maplewood. And also coached the Tool City boys volleyball program for a number of years. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, and in the past bowling and playing Y basketball. More importantly he loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Colwell of Titusville; 2 sons, Matthew Colwell and wife Angie of Centerville, Benjamin Colwell and wife Amy of Butler; 3 grandchildren, Nathan James Colwell, Grace Elizabeth Colwell of Centerville, Luke Jacob Colwell of Butler; a sister, Kathy Bennett and husband William of Townville; a brother-in-law, Robert Sansom and wife Ann of Centerville; 2 sisters-in-law, Joquette Canfield and husband George of Cambridge Springs, Sandra Smith and husband Bruce of Titusville; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St., Titusville on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. Funeral services will be conducted from the Townville Baptist Church on Saturday at 11:00 am with Pastor James Riley of the church, officiating. Interment will be in Kingsley Cemetery, Townville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Townville Baptist Church 33274 N. Main St., Townville, PA 16360, Free Wheelchair Mission P.O. Box 52001, Department 921, Phoenix, AZ 85072, Hospice of Crawford Co., 406 W. Oak St., Titusville, PA 16354 or to the charity of one’s choice.