James Alva Colwell, 62, a retired wine consultant who served with the Air Force in the late 1950s and early 1960s monitoring U-2 spy flights over the Soviet Union, died Tuesday, June 6, in his Wheaton home. Mr. Colwell, who was born in Battle Creek, Mich., was a radioman assigned to Special Operations during the Cold War. His duties included following the flights of pilot Francis Gary Powers, who ultimately was shot down by a Soviet missile, said his wife, Charrie. Mr. Colwell graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in business and marketing, and worked for the Lincoln-Mercury division of the Ford Motor Co., first in Dearborn, Mich., and later in Melrose Park. “He was a great storyteller,” his wife said. A loyal fan of the University of Michigan football team, Mr. Colwell until recently attended all home games, his wife said. “He loved the tailgate parties and conversations,” his wife said. Mr. Colwell worked for Roto Lincoln-Mercury in Arlington Heights before entering the wine industry. He advised buyers on the finer aspects of German wines. “The work was perfect for him. He liked people and enjoyed talking,” his wife said. Mr. Colwell is also survived by a sister, Joyce Andruezewski. A memorial service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Little Home Church by the Wayside, 32W128 Army Trail Rd., Wayne.
