James L. Greenhoe, aged 88, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, March 29, 2025 at his home on Sapphire Lake in Holland, Michigan.
James was born September 2nd, 1936, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There he later attended Union High School where he participated in multiple team sports including cross country, track, swimming, and was part of a competitive rifle team. And on that rifle team in particular is where he demonstrated an exceptionally sharp eye and steady hand, earning more than two dozen gold medals. After high school he continued to put that skill to good use in the United States Army. Besides those resulting years of honorable service to his country, an even greater result was that during his army service he met one Mary Lou Kreps, who soon became his wife Mary Lou Greenhoe … and at his departure from this life, his wife of 63 years.
Not only was he a valued team member in sports and military service, James had a very keen analytic mind. After high school he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. After army service, he was hired by Dresser Industries, which later became Lift-Tech International, in Muskegon as an engineer. It was a job that he not only loved and worked at until retirement, but where he demonstrated notable adaptability and a deep interest in learning by switching to computer programming once that, at the time novel, option was available.
As a husband, James worked hard to maintain a beautiful home for his wife, Mary. As a father, James worked hard to make childhood special for his children, Susan and Daniel, even building them a beautiful red tree house with a rope ladder. As a grandfather, James worked hard to make a family cottage on Derby Lake a place of fun and laughter for his two grandchildren, Jonathan and Katie. In fact just six days before his death, he was to be found playing cards with those now high school aged grandchildren, and other family members.
Perhaps more than anything, James’ life was characterized by extraordinary kindness. He cared about everyone, and asked how they were. In a world marred by selfishness, James exhibited the uncanny trait of putting the interests of others before his own. In the same world filled with greed, James exhibited an abundance of generosity. He was one whose own happiness seemed to be predicated on the happiness of others, which was helped along by his great sense of humor.
James was preceded in death by his older sister, Jaqueline Greenhoe, who died in infancy and who in Heaven he no doubt by now has met for the first time; and in-laws, Caryle and Melvin Nofzinger, Darla and Glen McGinley, and Heidi Kreps. James is survived by Mary Greenhoe, his wife until death they did part; his daughter, Susan (Greenhoe) Ledesma, and son-in-law, Christopher Ledesma; his son, Daniel Greenhoe, and daughter-in-law, Apple Greenhoe; his grandchildren, Jonathan Greenhoe and Katie Greenhoe; and brother-in-law, Lauren Kreps.
A celebration of life service will be held at Oak Crest Church of God, 1540 Leonard Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, with visitation from 9:30-10:30 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Luncheon to follow. Memorial donations in James’ memory may be made to Oak Crest Church of God. Arrangements are by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home in Holland.
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