February 04, 2026

Obituary for James E. Crouch

Jim (James) Crouch, retired U.S. Army Colonel, a longtime resident of Alexandria, VA (Mount Vernon) died on January 15, 2026 as a result of congestive heart failure. His beloved wife, Linda Ely, and adored service dog, Callie, were with him when he died at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Born in Jonesborough, TN, January 26, 1934, to educators Fred and Pearl Crouch, his father was a high school principal and his mother was a teacher. Jim was raised in Johnson City, TN with his older brother, Bob, and younger sister, Ginny. All predeceased him.

Jim graduated from East Tennessee State College, Johnson City, TN with a B.S. in Social Studies and was a member of ROTC and Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. He received a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Auburn University, Montgomery, AL, took graduate courses at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and received a Law Degree from The Washington School of Law, American University, Washington, D.C. He was a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the Army War College and held certifications from courses to include FBI General Law Enforcement, USAF Intelligence Operations, Basic Infantry Officer, Airborne, Adjutant General Career, Defense Management Systems and Defense Computer Technology.

Before attending college and joining the Army, Jim was in the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea in the Security Service during the Korean War. (He tried on his brother Bob’s Air Force uniform while he was home on leave, thought he looked sharp, and got his dad to sign him in to join the Air Force. Having graduated from high school at 16, Jim didn’t fit in with the college kids and had a sense of wanderlust. After graduating from basic AF training, he was promptly shipped to Japan and to pass the time learned how to properly shine shoes. It was his first Uncle Sam cruise and time away from home.) While in college, Jim was newsletter feature writer, president of his fraternity, and a police officer with the Johnson City, TN Police Department. After college graduation, Jim taught Junior High School Social Studies in Kingsport, TN before reporting for Army duty in 1959.

A man of many interests, accomplishments and talents, from packing cottage cheese and driving fork lifts during summer college breaks to pranking friends, Jim led a life of adventure collecting stories and friends along the way. Jim was a patriot and loved his country. He served three tours in Viet Nam and was in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Republic of Viet Nam. (It wasn’t that he enjoyed jumping out of planes so much but he liked the red beret, jump wings, and jump boots that were part of the uniform and the extra pay.)

Jim loved flying and had a private pilot’s license. He also loved motorcycles. He had his first in Viet Nam and only became reacquainted with them after he retired from the Army. A fan of the Honda Goldwing, he owned three, and enjoyed riding with Linda for local outings to include the annual Rolling Thunder. Later he rode with Shih Tzu Bubbles who traveled in a pouch on Jim’s chest wearing her own helmet and Doggles. They were quite a tourist sensation in D.C. and Old Town Alexandria and the subjects of many photos. Some liked the motorcycle, others the dog, and some the novelty of rider, motorcycle and dog.

Jim’s career assignments took him to Belgium, Japan, Korea, Alabama, Massachusetts, San Francisco, Texas and Washington, D.C. (the Pentagon several times, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Congressional Liaison, and he was a fan of the POAC -Pentagon Officers’ Athletic Center). He especially loved San Francisco where he enjoyed running and bicycling over the Golden Gate Bridge and the wonderful dining opportunities. He belonged to the St. Francis Yacht Club and lived at the Presidio. Washington, D.C. was another favorite for all that the area offers. Jim and Linda enjoyed ballet and opera at the Kennedy Center, the Shakespeare and Arena Theaters and spent happy hours visiting the many museums and restaurants in the area, L’Auberge Chez Francois being a favorite. They were longtime members of the Army Navy Club at Farragut Square in D.C. and celebrated many New Years there, they also enjoyed the varied book forums, the Seafood Buffets and good times with friends.

After retiring from the Army in 1988, Jim’s many interests led him to additional career adventures from being the first Town Manager of the City of Dumfries, VA, to practicing law, he was managing partner for Hyatt Legal Services in Falls Church and Springfield, VA (the law degree was because he wanted to be an FBI agent and J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI Director, required his agents to be accountants or lawyers, Jim never joined), to commercial real estate portfolio management in D.C. and MD to role playing working with companies to train intelligence officers and attorneys (one exercise required that he spend the night in a NC jail as a prisoner for interrogation).

Jim will be remembered as a gentle man, with a ready smile, loyal friend, loving husband and dog father, and for his kindness and his sense of humor. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 37 years, Linda Ely, and his adored service dog, Callie, who miss him terribly.

Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.