A Tribute To My Father

The Trew family's Chicago connection precedes my own birth. My father James Trew, Sr. was a professional baseball player and player/manager who originally signed with the ChicagoWhite Sox, briefly playing on their major league team early in his career. He later played and managed teams for the Chicago Cubs organization from 1946 to 1954. Later, he became a scout for such major league teams as the Cincinnati Reds and, of course, our home town team, the Detroit Tigers.

As a young man he received football and academic scholarships to attend Michigan State University as an undergraduate, then obtained his Master's Degree from the University of Michigan. He was an airman in the Army Air Corps, later rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. He taught English literature, history, coached baseball and football in the Detroit Public Schools for 20 years, winning numerous city championships along the way.

At the young age of 48, my dad suddenly found himself a widower after the sudden death of my mother, Rosemary. Nevertheless, he stepped up to the plate and finished raising the three of us: my brother Jimmie, my late sister Martha, and me.

After a long illness, my dad passed away this past April at the age of 89. I am where I am today because of him. Thank you, Dad!