River Front

About the Book

Poverty, depression and war—they faced it and survived. River Front is the remarkable story of three boys who forge a lifelong friendship and help renovate the St. Louis river front

About the Author

James W. Colmey grew up in Webster Groves, St. Louis County, Missouri during the depression years (1929 – 1940). He served three years in the United States Army during World War II; he was stationed in California, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas before shipping out to the Philippines. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, he remained in Manila and received a Commendation for Outstanding Services for his participation in the establishment of the Philippine Institution for the Armed Forces. After the war, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas in Austin and his Doctor's Degree in Education from Columbia University in New York City. As an educator, Colmey worked in New York, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin from 1948 – 1989. He served as Professor of Education at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University and Memphis University before serving as Deputy Commissioner of Education in Tennessee. He completed his career as Assistant Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. He co-authored three books on educational administration and numerous articles in professional journals. Colmey also served as consultant to the United States Department of Education and several states, making a significant contribution to the development of community colleges offering vocational and technical education. After retirement, he served five years on the Commission for Occupational Education for reviews and accreditation for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.