James W. Greer (Jim)

Omaha - James Walter Greer, Sr. was born on Dec. 10, 1923, to Olive A. Kester and Orville E. Greer in Mount Pleasant, PA. Jim’s childhood was not a pleasant one. The Great Depression hit the family hard. His father lost his well-paying job and had difficulty obtaining employment. His parents separated from time to time. Jim worked at various jobs to help support the family. Jim was extremely proud of the fact that he came from nothing and was able to succeed in life.

Jim met his future wife, Ruth Virtue Cooper, in 1941 at a Fireman’s Fair in her hometown of Dunbar PA. That night Jim offered to take her home in his 1939 Ford convertible and she agreed on one condition: “That she be allowed to drive”. Jim readily agreed. It was love at first sight. They were married on Sept. 8, 1944, in Baltimore, MD.

Jim joined the Merchant Marines in 1942 and after training was involved in multiple voyages overseas supporting the combat operations of the U.S. Military. On one voyage, his ship was torpedoed and Jim had to swim to a raft because the lifeboats had departed. On another close call, Jim avoided death because he needed a tonsillectomy. The ship he was about to sail on was torpedoed and sank without any survivors. This was the worst Merchant Marine disaster of the War. In 1945 after the war ended, Jim boarded a vessel to help supply goods to a devastated world.

After the war, Jim went to work for Traveler’s Insurance Co. as a Safety Engineer. In 1968 he was transferred to Omaha NE and promoted to a management position. The only complaint he ever received was that he pushed his employees too hard. Jim prioritized his family and faith first, then came marathon running and golf. He ran his first marathon at age 50. He continued playing golf into his early 90’s. Jim was also a master craftsman. One of his many projects throughout his life was making a dollhouse (replica of house they grew up in) for each one of his granddaughters plus one for his sister Mary. At 98 years old Jim wrote his biography “God Loves Me, The true-life story of a happy and thankful 98-year-old man”. At 99 Jim was awarded the World War II Merchant Mariners Congressional Gold Medal”.

He is survived by his sons James W., Jr. (Karen), Randall D. (Beverly) and Leslie K.; grandchildren Justin, James III (Meghan), Buffy (Mike) Zussman, Elizabeth Greer (Dustin Waderich) and Anna (David) Nance; great grandchildren Robert and George Greer, Holden, Libby and Hank Greer, Sydney and Riley Zussman, Henry and Simon Waderich, Murray Nance; sister Mary Yenney. Preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Ruth and brother Orville E. Greer, Jr.

 A celebration of life Saturday, April 25th at the Roeder Mortuary, 2727 N. 108th St., Omaha. Visitation 10:00 am, service at 11:00 with burial to follow at Evergreen Park Cemetery, 2300 S. 78th St. Donations to the Merchant Marines Veterans Charity “ammv.us” or favorite Veteran’s Charity of choice.

Roeder Mortuary 2727 N 108th St - Omaha, NE - 402-496-9000 www.RoederMortuary.com