Oswalt, James R. Jr.
James R. Oswalt Jr., USAF (Retired)
March 12, 1950 – December 30, 2015
James R. Oswalt, Jr. age 65 of Crookston, Minnesota passed away Wednesday December 30, 2015 in Riverview Hospital.
Jim was born to the late James (Dick) and Laura (Jean) Oswalt on March 12, 1950, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
He graduated from Portage Central High School and later enlisted in the Air Force. Jim worked as a helicopter mechanic and did a tour of duty overseas in Vietnam and Okinawa, Japan, besides stateside assignments before retiring with 22 ½ years of service. Jim married Rosanne (Thibert) and had a son Tracy and 2 daughters Jodi and Krista.
Jim worked as an equipment maintenance tech at various companies in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico before retiring from the work force in 2012. In 2014 Jim and family relocated to Crookston to be closer to Rosanne’s family. Jim enjoyed the outdoors and in his earlier years enjoyed softball hunting, fishing, golfing and bowling. He enjoyed camping and sitting outside and viewing nature.
Jim is survived by his wife of 43 yrs., his children, 4 grandsons, Kacee, Aiden, AJ, and James, 3 sisters, Pat, Deb, and Candy all residing in Michigan, and several nieces and nephews.
~ GUEST BOOK ~
Chuck Giambra Sgt. James Oswalt “Ozzie”; UH-1P & N crew chief 20th SOS 70-71: Passed on December 30th, 2015 of a heart attack, less than a year after we reconnected for the 1st time in 44 years.
Pete
I met Jim while on assignment to White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces , NM. We both worked at Honeywell Aerospace with the US Army on Future Combat Weapons. I had the opportunity to get to know him on our 4 hour drives from Albuquerque to Las Cruces. We used to talk a lot about our families, our military service and his pending retirement. Jim was a good man that I enjoyed being around and just talking about anything and everything. He will be missed, even if our conversations were just over Facebook. When Jim finally retired and made a life for he and his family in Minnisota, I was happy for him and his family. God speed Jim. I still can’t believe that your gone. Thank you for being my friend.
Chuck Giambra
Ozzie & I go back to helicopter tech school at Shepherd AFB in 1969. We were destined to meet again & were roommates at Shepherd AFB less than a year later for UH-1N school & then on to Vietnam together where we also roomed together while at Cam Ranh Bay. I am proud to have been his friend during my 4 Air Force years, we re-connected in February 2015 & even though it took us 44 years to re-connect, it was a joy. My deepest sympathy to the family & please know that my thoughts & prayers are with you & Jim.
John Winter
I worked with Jim (Oz) from 1976-1979 on helicopters at Grand Forks. He was such a wonderful person to work with and know. I am deeply sorry to all of you at the loss of him. Such a great man. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned
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