James ‘Jim’ Greer
James “Jim” Luther Greer, 89, of Grand Island, Neb. passed away Nov. 24, 2020 at his home in Grand Island with family by his side.
James Luther Greer, son of Roy E. and Eva E. Greer, was born May 12, 1931 at Mitchell. Jim’s family moved to North Platte when he was very young. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1949.
Jim started work on the Union Pacific Railroad in August of 1950. He served in the Army during the Korean War from January, 1952 to January, 1954; Jim was in Artillery.
After serving in the Army, he returned to the Union Pacific Railroad as an equipment operator and equipment mechanic. Jim retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in May of 1996 after 46 years of work.
Jim kept busy in retirement driving short haul trucking for TransWood Carriers in Omaha; he enjoyed his trucking career very much.
On June 29, 1958, he was united in marriage to Rosalie B Olson. Jim and Rosalie lived in a railroad bunk car, traveling with the railroad track gang from Missouri State to Washington State, for approximately five years.
The couple settled in Columbus for a short time; celebrating the birth of their first son Robert in 1963. Jim and Rosalie moved their family to Grand Island in 1964 welcoming two more children; daughter Diana in 1965 and son Jeffrey in 1969.
Jim and Rosalie remained in Grand Island for their many years together. Jim served four years on the Grand Island City Council and was a proud member of the American Legion. Jim stayed in tune with current events and often had Letters to the Editor in the Grand Island Independent newspaper.
Jim is survived by his wife Rosalie; two sons Rob (Jeanette) Greer of Lincoln and Jeff (Melody) Greer of Grand Island; daughter Diana Greer of San Francisco, Calif.; three grandchildren Samantha of Lincoln, Jade of San Francisco, Calif. and Reagan of Grand Island; and brother Bob Greer of Amarillo, Texas.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Eva; three brothers Don, Darrell, and Dan; and sister Wilma.
A Celebration of Life will be held Oct. 21, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow with Reverend Jeff Nielsen officiating. The service will be livestreamed at www.govierbrothers.com. Burial will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to donor’s choice or the Greer Family.
Govier Brothers Mortuary is assisting the family. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.