1922
James
2011
James J. Greer
March 7, 1922 — March 25, 2011
Harlingen, TX - James Jefferson Greer, passed to a better place on March 26, 2011 at the age of 89. He was born March 7, 1922 in Kaufman, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ruby Mae Tidwell Greer, his daughters, Penelope Ann Greer and Lana Kay Yartz; his brothers, Frank S. Greer, Jr. and George Greer and a sister, Dorothy Greer.
James is survived by daughter, Karen Lynn Goldsmith; his grandsons, Derek Douglas Goldsmith, Christopher Thomas Goldsmith, and Kenneth Albert Yartz; his granddaughter, Sharon Ann Yartz; his twin sister, Margaret Greer Bailey of Waxahachie, TX; and his sister, Birdie Mae Greer Struck of Scurry, TX.
James joined the Army/Air Force during WW II.; while in route to Europe, his plane was shot down just off the coast of Italy. He was captured and forced to march to a prisoner of war camp in Germany. He spent more than a year in various POW camps before being freed by American forces. James kept his part in the war very private, except when asked, he would say that the pilot of his plane was a true hero as he was able to get the plane under control just long enough for several people to bail out before going down with the plane. The story brought tears to his eyes every time he told it.
In 1946, he moved to Los Fresnos, TX, where he farmed for 5 years. At that time he received an appointment from President Harry Truman to be the Postmaster at Los Fresnos. He held that position for over 30 years before retiring. During that time he was proud to be a member of the Lions Club, of which he was President for two years. During that time the club started and finished 3 stables and a show ring for cattle and horses. He was very proud of the watch presented to him by the Lions Club for his accomplishments.
As always a man on the go, in 1986 he had had enough of retirement and moved to Harlingen, TX and became a real estate agent for Jim William’s Realty. He worked there for many years, and once received the company’s Man of the Year Award.
In notes he made during his final years was included this statement, ”In my lifetime I have strived to make and leave this world in better shape than it was when I was born.” and his final note was “God Bless America!!!”
James requested a closed casket service which will be honored. A visitation for friends and family will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at San Benito Funeral Home.
Graveside service will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito.
You are invited to leave condolences to the family of James Jefferson Greer at www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Highway 77, San Benito, TX (956) 361-9192
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ruby Mae Tidwell Greer, his daughters, Penelope Ann Greer and Lana Kay Yartz; his brothers, Frank S. Greer, Jr. and George Greer and a sister, Dorothy Greer.
James is survived by daughter, Karen Lynn Goldsmith; his grandsons, Derek Douglas Goldsmith, Christopher Thomas Goldsmith, and Kenneth Albert Yartz; his granddaughter, Sharon Ann Yartz; his twin sister, Margaret Greer Bailey of Waxahachie, TX; and his sister, Birdie Mae Greer Struck of Scurry, TX.
James joined the Army/Air Force during WW II.; while in route to Europe, his plane was shot down just off the coast of Italy. He was captured and forced to march to a prisoner of war camp in Germany. He spent more than a year in various POW camps before being freed by American forces. James kept his part in the war very private, except when asked, he would say that the pilot of his plane was a true hero as he was able to get the plane under control just long enough for several people to bail out before going down with the plane. The story brought tears to his eyes every time he told it.
In 1946, he moved to Los Fresnos, TX, where he farmed for 5 years. At that time he received an appointment from President Harry Truman to be the Postmaster at Los Fresnos. He held that position for over 30 years before retiring. During that time he was proud to be a member of the Lions Club, of which he was President for two years. During that time the club started and finished 3 stables and a show ring for cattle and horses. He was very proud of the watch presented to him by the Lions Club for his accomplishments.
As always a man on the go, in 1986 he had had enough of retirement and moved to Harlingen, TX and became a real estate agent for Jim William’s Realty. He worked there for many years, and once received the company’s Man of the Year Award.
In notes he made during his final years was included this statement, ”In my lifetime I have strived to make and leave this world in better shape than it was when I was born.” and his final note was “God Bless America!!!”
James requested a closed casket service which will be honored. A visitation for friends and family will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at San Benito Funeral Home.
Graveside service will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito.
You are invited to leave condolences to the family of James Jefferson Greer at www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Highway 77, San Benito, TX (956) 361-9192
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