Jameson Allen McGrew, aged 95, passed away at Addison Place Assisted Living facility in New Castle on April 14, 2025. Jameson’s ready smile, infectious laugh, sometimes “hammy” gestures, and wise counsel when needed effectively projected an encompassing love and a readiness to serve that made him as valued a member of the broader New Castle community as he was dear to the hearts of his closest friends and family.
Born to Glen W. and Emily (Jameson) McGrew on September 20, 1929 in Chicago Illinois, Jameson lived his pre-school years in Chicago, but by age 5 had moved with his family to Elmhurst, Illinois and then to Rensselaer, Indiana, where he spent his early school years. Finally, in the summer before his third-grade year the family settled in New Castle, where his father owned an abstracting business and subsequently made a career as a real estate developer. Jameson would make his home in New Castle for most of his life. While a student at New Castle High School, Jameson won the Rotary State Speech Contest on the theme “What makes a Country Great.” Shortly after moving to New Castle, his family joined New Castle First Friends Meeting where Jameson and his family continue as members to the present day, holding many leadership positions.
Following graduation from New Castle High School, Jameson attended Earlham College, graduating with a major in History in 1951. He subsequently completed a year of graduate study in modern European History at Indiana University before joining the US Air Force and serving in the Military Police in Germany from 1952 to 1956. After returning to the United States, he managed Glenwood Mobile Home Park in New Castle on behalf of his father, Glen, from 1957 to 1963. During this period, Jameson also renewed his relationship with Earlham classmate, Janet Johnson, marrying her at Fairmount Friends Meeting in Fairmount, Indiana on February 23, 1958. Meanwhile, Jameson completed a Masters degree in Social Studies Education with a minor in English at Ball State University, graduating in 1962. After completing his degree, he taught Junior High School English for a year (1963-64) in Knightstown before accepting a job as a teacher at the New Castle State Hospital. In 1963 Jameson and Janet also arranged to purchase the mobile home park from his father, which they and their children continued to own and operate for 50 years until 2013. Jameson continued to work at the New Castle State Hospital as a teacher and then a Unit Administrator until 1976, after which he worked as an occupational therapist for Associated Patient Services until 1981.
In 1966, Jameson was invited to fill a part in a First-Nighters play, How to Succeed in Business, and from that point became an avid amateur actor and a fixture in New Castle’s civic theater for decades to come. Along the way, he won a Best Actor award for the role of Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind, and a Best Supporting Actor award for the role of the drunken friend in Send Me No Flowers. He also served as president of New Castle First Nighters Civic Theater Association as well as president of the Bundy Auditorium Advisory Board. He subsequently served on the Board of Guyer Opera House. He was also an aficionado of everything to do with the Wizard of Oz and kept an extensive collection of Wizard of Oz books and memorabilia.
From his father and grandfather Jameson inherited a deep sense of civic service and was a supporter and leader of numerous community, religious, and educational organizations. In 1957 he joined the Breakfast Optimist Club, and subsequently served as Secretary, Treasurer, and President of the New Castle Optimists. As an Optimist, he also served as President of the New Castle Babe Ruth Baseball League and for many years operated its concession stand. He was also one of the founders of the New Castle Little League Football program and subsequently served as its president. For many years he served on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Earlham College, and subsequently on the Board of Raintree Square Retirement Center. In his later years, Jameson volunteered extensively at the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jameson was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Jean Elizabeth (McGrew) Stoffregen, and his wife Janet. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Lindley C. and Laura (Adler) McGrew of Lewes, Delaware, Allen J. and Heidi (Scheirer) McGrew of Beavercreek, Ohio, Evan M. and Martha (Willis) McGrew of New Castle, and Lydia Ann (McGrew) and Victor Head of New Castle. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Daniel and Lauren McGrew-Hitzhusen, Amy (McGrew) and Colin Wixsted, Rosemary Head, Michael McGrew and Lili Dalanika, Emily McGrew and Sam Weitekamp, Will McGrew and Amanda Mercado, Renzhi (McGrew) and Dylan Clark, Andrew Head, and Benjamin Head, and three great grandchildren, Catherine Moss, Parker Clark, and Rosa McGrew, as well as a niece and three nephews, and their children and grandchildren.
Services will be held at New Castle First Friends Meetinghouse, 503 South Main St. on Saturday, April 19, 2025 with visitation between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. followed immediately by the memorial service at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Castle First Friends Meeting, the Guyer Opera House, or the Jameson A. and Janet E. Johnson McGrew Scholarship Fund through the Henry County Community Foundation. Condolences and memories of Jameson may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com.