Remembering James Greig
February 13, 1938 – June 15, 2011
“That’s how we do it here down on the farm.” This was a frequent comment of James when we were all outside. James was a creature of habit and order, and shared his awareness of nature around us. We could count on him for the overnight rain gauge report. Our paper would be at the door following his morning dog walk. The vegetable garden was laid out exactly the same every year, with plenty of pumpkins for the children of friends. One memorable annual event was the fall harvesting of corn stalks after all the corn had been picked. The horses and goats would line up at the fence line, waiting for James’ white truck loaded with cornstalks. • John & Janet, dear friends and neighbors
We’ve been friends since 2nd grade even though we went our separate ways for a few years. He loved the outdoors. He taught me about nature and told me the name of every tree when we went hiking. I loved to sit at the top of the meadow with him in the late afternoon sun with the dogs or down at the pond. I know his presence will be on his property for a very long time. • Gary, childhood friend
“Oh, if you could have seen him strut his stuff on the beach in his Speedo! He had quite the body.” • Sandy at the Burton Store
Chickens, gardens, dogs, his kids and grandkids and his pond. These are the loves he shared with me. He was a generous host for weddings of friends and strangers who were not strangers for long. The neighborhood is different now. He grew great corn! • Karen, friend and neighbor
Jim had a vision of how to arrange things – plants, rocks, wood. He would try to find things around the farm that could be reused or recycled before buying new
materials. He created his own little paradise and shared it with everyone who dropped by the farm. • Terry, son-in-law
It is hard to put in a few words everything James has meant to me over all these years. We knew each other in our high points and our low points and our friendship never faltered. He was good to all his friends and he gave everyone a chance.
• Tom, best friend
My dad’s farm was a great meeting place. My kids knew that when we went there, they would not only see their grandfather, but most likely cousins, aunts, uncles, other relatives and great friends and neighbors. My pancakes are always critiqued as not as good as grandpa’s – his breakfast was obviously legendary. For fun, we would talk politics, but never for long as my love of Fox News was different than dad’s. Westerns we could agree upon. I would often discuss sports with him while sitting in San Diego traffic. The rides are much longer now. • Mike, son
My dad found his place on Vashon Island. He was connected with the island’s natural beauty, slow pace, simple pleasures, and gracious residents. My family and I also came to love Vashon during our annual summer visits. Dad was a wonderful host and each visit he introduced us to new people and places around the island. He and I would walk around the farm looking at his latest additions and plantings, making plans for future improvements.
For my children, summer means a trip to grandpa’s farm. As they grew up, their grandpa taught them how to feed the chickens and collect the eggs, pick the fruits and veggies in the garden, and build the nightly fire. Everyone looked forward to grandpa’s power breakfasts – lots of bacon, farm fresh eggs, and the best pancakes ever.
Whenever I arrived at the farm I would find a freshly cut rose in the vase at the cabin, a special welcome from my dad. Our visits always seemed to be over too soon. Too soon is how I feel now. • Kathie, daughter
Please join family and friends by the pond on Sunday, July 17, anytime
between 1:00 and 5:00, to share your memories and stories of James.
Paid Obituary.
