James Grey

James Haskell Grey Jim of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Windsor Place Nursing home of natural causes, after a full and happy life of over 100 years. Jim was born on April 21, 1910 in St. Paul, Madison County, Arkansas to James Monroe Grey and Alice Roberts Grey. He moved to Coffeyville, Kansas in 1924 to attend high school. He graduated in 1929 from Washington High School the predecessor of Field Kindley High School which was then located on the present site of the Long John Silver Restaurant. During high school and after graduation he worked at theHamburger Inn in downtown Coffeyville. In 1933 he moved to Texas where he worked construction jobs building carbonblack plants for three years. He then returned to Coffeyville and bought the Hamburger Inn at 13th and Maple and renamed it the Maple Leaf Inn and another small restaurant. He hired Beulah Fern Esp to help manage the second restaurant. On September 5, 1939 Jim and Beulah married. They remained married for more than 60 years until her death in 2000. In 1950 he moved his family to Idaho for the benefit of his sons health. While there he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. After returning to Coffeyville he and Beulah openedJims Eat Shop. Jim has been renowned in Coffeyville for the hamburgers and pancakes served at his Maple Leaf Inn and other restaurants. In 1962 he went to work as an accounting clerk for the City of Coffeyville. He retired from the City in 1976, but continued his work as an accountant providing bookkeeping and tax services for individuals and small businesses in Coffeyville. He continued his accounting and tax services until he was 88 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife Beulah, a brother Gerrold Grey US ArmyRetired of Washington DC, sisters Pauline Manis of Coffeyville, Gladys Lyons of Sands Spring, OK and Bessie Grey of Seattle WS, his son Eddie M. Grey of Lees Summit, MO, as well as his favorite pets,Aylish German Shepherd andHoward Haskell The Cat. Jim is survived by his daughter Kayleen Grey Herzog and soninlaw Neil Herzog of Denver, Colorado: two daughtersinlaw Sharon Grey and Mary Grey of Lees Summit, Missouri three grand children granddaughter Cheri Lynn and her husband Roger Gregory of Kansas City, grandson Kevin and his wife Barbara Grey of Lees Summit, Mo. and grandson Kris and his wife Patti Grey of Saint Joseph, Missouri: great grandchildren Keith Grey of Kansas City, Laura and her husband Steve Misner of Grain Valley, Missouri, Neal and Kyle Grey of Saint Joseph, Missouri and Claire Gregory of Kansas City. Jim was a founder and longtime member of the Central Church of the Nazarene in Coffeyville. He served on the Board and as the treasurer of the congregation for many years and helped build the churchs facility on Hall Street. He was a Mason and a member of the IOOF and a charter member of Sams Club. In his youth he played tennis. He enjoyed watching golf on TV and devised his own way of keeping score. Jim was renowned in Coffeyville for the great hamburgers he once served, his strong commitment to personal integrity and his extremely positive and outgoing personality. He will be missed by those who loved and respected him. Funeral arrangements and services are being handled by PenwellGable Funeral Home. Public viewing and visitation is scheduled from 5 to 7 PM on Friday December 17th, 2010 and the funeral will be at PenwellGable at 1 PM on Saturday December 18th, 2010. PenwellGabel FordWulfBruns Chapel 2405 Woodland Coffeyville, KS 67337 6202513100 A reception will be held after the funeral at the Central Church of the Nazarene 1501 W 9th Street, Coffeyville, KS 67337. Contributions can be made to the Central Church of the Nazarene.