James Greenshields Obituary

September 26, 1920 - May 3, 2008 James M. Greenshields passed away peacefully on May 3, 2008 at the Medallion Retirement Home in Colorado Springs. Jim was born in Fargo, North Dakota to Susan and Francis Greenshields. He was very proud of his Scottish heritage as his parents were both born and raised in Scotland. He grew up in Fargo, ND and graduated from Fargo Central High School. He attended North Dakota State University where he studied Horticulture for two years until going to serve in the Army during WWII. He was a member of the 12th Armored Division. On April 20 of 1943, he married Norma Thacker. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. After returning from serving in the Army, Jim began his long career in the newspaper industry at the Fargo Forum. Not long after completing his apprenticeship he and his wife moved to Wichita, KS where he worked for the Wichita Eagle and Beacon as a stereotyper and composer for 38 years. Jim and his wife raised their three children in Wichita. They were charter members of Pleasant Valley Baptist church where he volunteered in many capacities such as Deacon and Church Moderator. He devoted his life to serving the Lord and ministering to many. In 1992, upon retirement, they moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to their children. Jim was very active upon retirement and was a volunteer, serving many hours, at Penrose Community Hospital. There was no such thing as a stranger to him and he made many friends wherever he went. He was an avid sports fan and a gifted athlete who loved playing baseball and fast pitch softball. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and frequently took care of his two grandsons when they were young. They shared a strong bond. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Susan and Francis Greenshields, brother Frank Greenshields, and sister Florence Sanders. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norma (Thacker) Greenshields, son Tim Greenshields (wife Diane), son Craig Greenshields, his daughter Beth Greenshields Courrau (husband Rick) and daughter-in-law Jana (Jones) Greenshields. He leaves behind two grandsons, Alex and Ethan Courrau and a granddaughter, Janea Coddington (husband Scott) and two great grandchildren; Noah and Kaitlyn Coddington. He is also survived by two of his sisters, Jane Bibelheimer of Bismarck, ND and Helen Fisk of Jamestown, ND. A visitation will be held Tuesday evening, May 6 from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens Chapel; 3825 Airport Road in Colorado Springs and the funeral services will be held in the Memorial Gardens Chapel on Wednesday, May 7 at 10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org.