of Coway, AR
September 20, 1937 - June 27, 2009
James S. "Jim" Greiner, 71, of Conway, passed away Saturday, June 27 at his home after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He bravely fought this disease, and cherished the additional time that treatment and surgery gave him to spend with his family and friends. He had already survived esophageal cancer and a heart attack. He valued hard work, was a successful businessman, and loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren. His favorite times were spent fishing, hunting, boating, watching little league baseball, and traveling with his wife Dee. He also enjoyed baking pies and sweets for others.
Jim was born September 20, 1937 to the late Sylvan John "Zip" Greiner and the late Winnie Faye Miller Greiner in the Plumerville community. He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger sister Donna Walters Marsh of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He spent his early years in Juneau, Alaska before moving back to Conway. He graduated from Conway High School in 1955, where he played football, then spent a short time at Arkansas State Teachers College, now the University of Central Arkansas. He enlisted in the United States Navy and was trained as a sonar operator in Key West, Florida.
Following his naval service, he worked as an assistant plant manager at Universal-Nolan in Conway, the predecessor to Frigidaire. He then co-owned and operated Jim's Auto Parts in Conway and worked as an outside sales representative for Ark-Mo Lumber Company as well as Builders Warehouse Association. In recent years, he built yet another successful company, Conway Specialty Wood Products, a manufacturer of specialty items for the hotel industry.
He and his wife Dee celebrated 40 years of marriage one week before he passed away, and he was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Conway. They have three children; Janie Kehler and husband Bob of Conway, Jay Greiner and wife Kara of Greenbrier, and Jason Greiner and wife Mendi of Bryant. They have seven grandchildren; Kelsie and Chase Kehler; Peyton and Brody Greiner; and Coby, Caleb, and Caroline Greiner. Jim is also survived by sisters Jeannine Stokes of Columbia, South Carolina and Peggy Keyes of Little Rock. He was affectionately called "BeBop" by all his family and closest friends.
Pallbearers will be Max Tolliver, Trevor Seifert, Matt Seifert, Rickey Johnson, Patrick Abbott, Blake Merritt, and Lee Phillips. Honorary Pallbearers are Tommy Williams, Bobby Ward, John Lewis, Ray Rodgers, Chuck Seifert, Tommy Abbott, James Beavers, and Hal Hunnicutt.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. at the Roller McNutt Funeral Home of Conway, with burial services to follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene building fund.
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50 Condolence(s)
Jennifer (Baker) Harper
Monday, July 6, 2009
Jason and Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I really enjoyed seeing your Dad at church over the last few months and know he enjoyed all the extra time he got to spend with you all.
Charlie & Shayla Cockrum
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Jason,
We are so sorry for the loss of your father. Please know that we are here for you during this grieving time that is so difficult. May God be with you and your family.
Michelle Trent Roberts
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Janie,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
Kevin & Tonya Mitchell Moix
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Dee, Jay, and Jason,
My prayers are with you during this time.
Tonya and Kevin Moix
Betty Sue Compton Bailey
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I graduated with Jim in 1955 class at Conway High.
My prayers are with you
Tina Cotham Lowery
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Kara, Peyton, Brody, Jay and family - our thoughts and prayers go out to you in this difficult time. No words can express your heartache. Just know that you are in our prayers.
Tina and Kelli Cotham Lowery
Tess Kilcrease
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Im deeply sorry for your loss, Mr Jim was a wonderful man. Your entire family will continue to be in my prayers love to you all.
Richard & Jeanie Martin
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of Jim. May God strengthen you as you face the difficult days ahead. You are in our prayers.
Marlene Hazel
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Janie-- My deepest sympathy goes out to you in the loss of your father. I briefly saw you at the hospital just a few days ago as I was there with my own father who also just passed away. I share the grief you are experiencing and pray for God's tender mercy to comfort your family during this time.
Marlene Tucker Hazel
Judy Reynolds
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Dee and family, You know that I'm so sorry for Jim's passing...I love all of you and you are in my prayers.
He is finally out of pain and at peace with our lord.
May God Bless Us All
Jaci (Engelkes) Barden
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Jay,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May you find peace knowing he is in a much better place now. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Jaci
mike dry
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I am a friend of Jay and Janie and wanted to express my deepest sympathies to the Greiner famly on the loss of there father.
Theresa Chapman (Dr Moix office)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Dee,
I was so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a very nice man. You are in my prayers.
Joe & Nickie Fite
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Jason we are so sorry to hear about your dad. If you need anything please let us know
Elizabeth Hegeman
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Dee,
I am so sorry that you lost Jim. I know that you were
so happy with him. My thoughts and prayers are
with you and your family.
Elizabeth Hegeman
Lolly Cotham
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Dee, Jay and family, so sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for you, your children and grandchildren. Just know that God is with you and seek comfort in each other.
Lolly , Tina and Kelli Cotham
George and Carolyn Rountree
Monday, June 29, 2009
Dee, you and your family are in our prayers. Knew Jim from way back and always thought him as a "stand up " guy.. He will be missed by many.
george rountree
Jean Landers Warren
Monday, June 29, 2009
Dee and family:
My prayers are with you and the family as you go through this difficult time in the home going of Jim. As you well know he is now pain free and waiting for the time you will join him in heaven.
Jean Landers Warren
Susan Linn Woodard
Monday, June 29, 2009
I am praying for your family for God to give you peace and comfort .
Andy (Opie) Allen
Monday, June 29, 2009
Just received the news. Jim was a great father figure for me in college. We all had a lot of good times together back in the day. He always had a smile on his face I will never forget that. We are praying for yall
Andy(Opie)Allen
Colleen and Carter
Monteen Goss
Monday, June 29, 2009
Dee so sorry about your loss. He will not suffer any more. God needed a special rose and he chose Jim; Take care of yourself.
Topeaka
Monday, June 29, 2009
Janie, Dee and rest of family. I am so sorry to for you lose. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. He was such a wonderful man.
Connie Russell
Monday, June 29, 2009
What I remember most about Uncle Jim was his smile - it lit up the whole room. I wish I could be there for the service. My thoughts will be with all of you.
Al & Lexie Roofener
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thinking of you, You are in our prayers
Shawn Langley
Monday, June 29, 2009
I am sorry to hear of Jim's passing. There was nothing like hearing Jim in the stands at a Wampus Cat game encouraging not only Jay but the entire team. His "Oh Me" and "Cmon Cats" will be missed at John McConnell Stadium.
Janet Thompson
Monday, June 29, 2009
Dee, on behalf of Dad, Mom and I, our prayers are with you and the family during your time of loss. Even though physically he will no longer be here, the memories will live on.
Thomas, Marie and Janet Thompson
Jim Fiddler Family
Monday, June 29, 2009
With deepest sympathy. We will all miss him.
Jennie Bryant
Monday, June 29, 2009
Janie and Dee, Just wanted to send you all my love and deepest sympathy in your loss. Janie, getting to know your Dad was a pleasure and something each one that has known him will always treasure. Jennie
J. Louise (Osborn) Tullos
Monday, June 29, 2009
Dee and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I remember a great, fun loving guy from high school and a person who fought his fight with such dignity at our later school reunions. ( Louise, CHS Class of 55)
Robin Roberts Priest
Monday, June 29, 2009
Dee and family,
Word about James came yesterday, by email, from another '55 classmate. We all have many fond rememberances of James; he loved life, always had a smile, loved to tease, and oh how he loved to dance.
"Bebop" is such an appropriate nickname for him.
May the warmth of the Lord's arms comfort you as well
as the many notes of those who knew him.
Robin Roberts Priest
Class of '55
Gale Garrison
Monday, June 29, 2009
I was sorry to hear of Jim's death. I worked at Universal-Nolin from 1971 tll 1975.
Scott & Lori Taylor
Monday, June 29, 2009
Jay & Jason,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss... You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Joanie Stewart
Monday, June 29, 2009
Dee and Family,
I was so saddened to read of Jim's passing as we all will miss him so much. He was such a great person
and I enjoyed talking with him when we would get chemo together at Dr. Tsuda's. I haven't seen him in a while and asked my daughter Sheri (his hairdresser)
about him as he would sometimes tell me he needed
to go to Sheri for a haircut and I would tell him he looked fine as he did have hair and mine was very thin
and I covered it with a ball cap. Its been a long battle I know and I pray that God will comfort and strengthen each of you during your time of grief. I,too, will miss him.
Jill Bryant
Monday, June 29, 2009
Janie and Family - I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ashley Smith
Monday, June 29, 2009
Many sympathies to the Greiner family.
Barbara Isom and Family
Monday, June 29, 2009
Greiner Family,
Reading of Jim's death this morning has taken me back to many memories of the Baridon Street days.
Your family was fun, interesting, admirable in many ways. I think of each of you with warmest thoughts and deepest sympathy. Barbara Isom
Ramona Bolding Akin
Monday, June 29, 2009
My condolences to Jim's family. God bless you all.
Ramona Bolding Akin
CHS class of 1956
Larry Crafton
Monday, June 29, 2009
I did not you well but I know a good person with a good and kind heart and that was you.God will have your home waiting .God bless you and the kids Dee.
Darla Draper
Sunday, June 28, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you all.
Mark Rider
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Dee, Janie, Jay and Jason,
I am so sorry for your loss, as well as, the loss the rest of us will feel in Jim's passing. I was fortunate to have known Jim for so many years, and even more privileged to see the strength and dignity that Jim and Dee showed in this long battle. He is loved by many and will never be forgotten.
Mark Rider and family
Melinda Reynolds
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Dee and family, I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Jim. I worked with him at Universal Nolan and he was always a kind person to be around. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Amanda Goodman
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Janie and family,
I am so sorry for your loss but I know that BeBop is smiling down upon you all. He is a wonderful person and I know that you all will carry a part of him in your heart each and everyday.
Kathryn Linn Woods
Sunday, June 28, 2009
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dennis Acklin
Sunday, June 28, 2009
May God grant you that peace which passeth all understanding, my precious Dee!
Butterball
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tribute to a Valiant Warrior
The tremendous and courageous battle that James fought with pancreatic cancer is the guy I knew him to be. He never seemed to let obstacles in his path or bumps in the road slow him down. We traveled many miles of this life’s journey together and it was a blast. James always enjoyed life to the fullest and was a genuine and loyal friend. Like so many in the CHS “Class of 1955” we could produce many volumes of stories (All true!). James and I and our friends shared some wonderful times together. I will never forget them.
James will be greatly missed by Dee, the kids and grandkids and their lives will never be the same without him. All can be comforted by knowing his pain and suffering is over and he is homeward bound.
Roger Miller said it best in his song “Old Friends”.
Old Friends
Swappin lies of life and loves
Pitchin popcorn to the doves
Old Friends
Lord, when all my work is done
Bless my life, grant me one
Old Friend
Just one Old Friend.
May you rest in peace “Old Friend”
God Bless,
Butterball
Nancy Caldwell
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Dee and family,
James made all of our gatherings special in Conway, and we were sorry to hear the news today of his death. We are both glad we knew him. He enriched many lives and will be missed. Our prayers are with you.
Ben and Nancy Caldwell
Clyde and Margie Paulk
Sunday, June 28, 2009
We all will miss James.
Judith Wimberly
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Dee and family:
I was so saddened by the news of James' passing. What a valiant fight he led against his disease. Take comfort in knowing he is now pain free and in the company of his Lord. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Sincerely,
Judith Wimberly
Earlene Ward Russell
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Dee and family, I am so sad.. I can't be there, but Bobby will be. I will be there in spirit. My most earnest prayers are for you.
Alton Loveless
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Words are meaningless at times like this, but a faith to hold to surfaces when humanity fails.
I was a classmate to James and have many fond memories of him.
Due to my own battle I will not be able to attend the service but want you to be aware of my prayers for strength there and the times in the futuren.
A number of years ago I wrote this brief poem of a friend whose service I was to conduct.
THEN
It is not for us to ask "WHY?" but rather "WHEN?"
Since each of us will depart so prepare for "THEN."
The Question is "WHERE" is our spirit going
With full assurance in Christ - Knowing.
For Life exists in the Father's Son
And only in Him is earth's victory won.
Our beloved Lord who still lives today,
Preached of the end with the power to sway.
He never promoted the "WHY" But preached about "WHEN"
So all of His followers would go "THERE" when it came to "THEN."