James "Jim" Franklin Brewer

James Franklin “Jim” Brewer, age 84, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, passed away on March 14, 2026. He struggled with a debilitating lung condition for two years, and after several recent cycles of pneumonia, he died peacefully with his family by his side, loving him and praying with him.

Jim was a humble man, the son of a coal miner born in western Pennsylvania on December 11, 1941. The second youngest child in a large family with four other siblings, Jim enjoyed his family life and played on his high school football team. After graduation, he moved to Baltimore where he lived with his sister Gloria and worked at Montgomery Ward.

It was during his early 20s that Jim was first invited to a church in Baltimore where he was saved and began to study the word of God. It was also here where he met his best friend and wife of more than sixty years. Jim married Virginia “Vicki” Brewer, nee Shipley, on May 21, 1965, an anniversary that he remembered every year. The foundation of their relationship was always Christ, and together they built a life of commitment, love, and support for one another.

With three young children to raise, Jim went to plumbing school and worked at Ingleside Plumbing and Heating for several years until he found a position in the maintenance department at the National Security Agency in Ft. Meade, Maryland. Working at N.S.A. for more than 25 years gave Jim the opportunity to travel to many different states, countries, and continents representing American interests. He also enrolled in college courses for the first time at age 52 and obtained a degree in Construction Management. After retirement, Jim continued to help friends, neighbors, and his church with plumbing and construction projects, maintained huge gardens every summer with many tomato plants, and also enjoyed creating various wood projects for his grandchildren.

Most of all, Jim loved the Lord and lived a life of gentleness, kindness, and unselfish deeds, using Proverbs 3: 5- 6 as his guide: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Jim is survived by his wife, Vicki; his children Matthew and his wife Maureen, Melissa and her husband George, and Jennifer and her husband Ryan; five grandchildren- Colby, Elnora, Grace, Kiley, and Meredith; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ida Brewer, as well as his siblings John, Gloria, Shirley, and Mary.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19 from 10:00AM - 10:45AM, with the service immediately following, as well as a luncheon afterward for those wishing to join the family at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory 1212 West Old Liberty Road Sykesville, MD 21784. 

Interment will be held for the immediate family at Loudon Park Cemetery.

Online condolences at www.Burrier-Queen.com.