James L. Greeson

Sherman- Funeral services for James Lether Greeson will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, April 24 at Waldo Funeral Home.  Mike Bates will officiate, and burial will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park with Kasen Debose, Edgar Alvarenga, Carl Peacock, and Larry Marshall serving as pallbearers.  Jim Schmidgall will be an honorary pallbearer.  Mr. Greeson passed away Monday April 17 at Texoma Medical Center at the age of 97.

Born December9, 1925 in the lumber town of Gideon, deep Southeast Missouri, James became the seventh member of the late Charles and Jewel (Mckay) Greeson family.  Anticipating his arrival, along with his parents, were brothers Milton, the oldest, Wayne and Wade, the twins who selfishly demonstrated to young James the rewards and repercussions of loosely following Father Charles' directives, and a sister, Audrey who joined her mother in providing the love and care necessary to bring a child of what was destined to be "the greatest generation", to adulthood.

James was four years old when the great depression hit.  His father being a man of sterner stuff, moved the family to Baton Rouge, LA, then took to building levees and roads throughout the State, thus providing sustenance for his family of seven, and employment for his sons and countless others as the economy ran its course.  Being the youngest, and a tad frail, did not keep James from helping in the family business.  At the age of 12 he was laboring at any task his daddy assigned along with hauling a water bucket and ladle the length of the job sites to quench the thirst of the workers, who, on occasion, would relate anecdotes of his father and brothers for his encouragement and amusement as the summers wore on.

Fall always brought smiles to young James as he enjoyed the comradery of sports and school.

(Which was considerably more enjoyable than levee work.)

The war came, and James was able to complete his first year at LSU before enlisting in the navy where he served honorably until the war's completion and victory.

Civilian life let him find employment as a pipefitter, which inspired him to finish college, and begin a satisfying career as teacher/football/basketball/track coach.  Events of life brought him to North Texas where he met, fell in love with, and married Betty Reed in Sherman, Texas, 1975 to finish a well lived life.

He was an avid sports fan, loved gardening, especially raising the perfect tomatoes, family, being a Dad, Papa, Grandpapa, even Great Grandpapa, (which he was).

He wore his faith proudly, naturally, and to all who needed, was a "rock and shelter" amidst the storms of life.  A member of Victory Life Church, Sherman, he will be missed.

Mr. Greeson is survived by his wife Betty of Sherman; son, James Greeson Jr and wife Cathy of Baton Rouge; daughter, Rebecca Peacock and husband Carl of Sherman; three grandchildren, James Greeson III of Baton Rouge, Dana Duet of Baton Rouge, and Joanna Peacock of Sherman; seven great grandchildren, Stone Greeson of Baton Rouge, Abigail Duet of Baton Rouge, Meagan Duet of Baton Rouge, Brinlee Valentin of Sherman, Kasen Debose of Sherman, Kayne Anderson of Sherman, and Devyn Cheri Taylor of Sherman; niece, Lynn Mitchell of Baton Rouge; and nephew, Dr. Charles Greeson of Baton Rouge.

Mr. Greeson was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Milton Greeson, L. Wade Greeson, and L. Wayne Greeson; sister, Audrey Greeson Johnson; and one son, Martin Greeson.

The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM Monday prior to the funeral.