James H. Greer

“Uncle Jimmy” was born the 18th of November 1926, in San Francisco California to Louise Roumiguiere and Shelton W. Greer. The family moved to Houston in 1928, where Jimmy attended Lamar High School before heading off to Texas A&M in 1943. Jimmy was a member of the Corps of Cadets and played drums in the Aggie Core Band. His college education was cut short in 1945 when he volunteered to serve in WWII, little knowing he would soon be part of this country’s Greatest Generation. Upon his return from service, Jimmy attended the University of Houston, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. Shortly after graduation, Jimmy married Dorothy Ann (Dot) Nini, his beloved wife of 52 years. As a pair “Dot & Jimmy” would soon be synonymous with fun and adventure.

Jimmy began his career working for his father at Shelton W. Greer Co., installing roof decking on schools and commercial buildings. His career quickly expanded into door and window storefront systems, and over the years Jimmy became one of the most prominent players in high-rise glass exterior construction, founding Haley-Greer and Greer Architectural Products. Jimmy was also a founder of Baker Metal Products, and numerous other construction-related firms. Many successful construction and real estate professionals owe their start to Jim Greer. Jimmy loved nothing more than visiting construction sites, reviewing engineering drawings, and scrutinizing estimates. If you notice a striking high rise building in Texas, there is a good chance that Jim Greer had a hand in it.

A prolific deal man, Jimmy founded numerous commercial banks including Greenway Bank and Trust and Riverway Bank. He proudly served on the Board of Directors of Service Corporation International, AmeriCredit, and Cash America. In real estate, Jimmy developed dozens of buildings and hotels in Texas and the Bahamas. Jimmy served as a University of Houston Regent where he was recently honored for his lifetime achievements.

Dot was Jimmy’s wife, best friend, and the love of his life. Along with their lifelong friends, Dot & Jimmy’s love of adventure was legendary. They were passionate about the Bahamas and loved spending weeks on end at Chub Cay with friends, fishing and spearing lobster with Cliff at the helm, laughing into the night and dining on Olga’s cracked conch and her infamous Yellowbirds! Jimmy had a deep passion for Indy car racing alongside his lifelong friend AJ Foyt, loving nothing more than being part of the pit crew and manning the pit wall signboard. Jimmy’s sense of humor and his infamous stories were a hallmark of the man.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents Shelton and Louise, wife Dorothy, their son Steve, and daughter Louise. He is survived by nieces Diane Nini, Julie Nini, Lisa Nini, and his nephews Mark Nini, David Nini, Steven Nini.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 29th of October 2024, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service will be conducted at twelve o’clock noon on Wednesday, the 30th of October 2024, in the Hankamer Chapel of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston.

Prior to the service, a private interment will have taken place at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family asks that you consider a memorial contribution to Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr., Houston, TX, 77057; or the University of Houston, In Care of Gift Processing and Records, P.O. Box 867, Houston, TX, 77001.

Please view Mr. Greer’s online memorial tribute page at GeoHLewis.com, where memories and words of comfort and condolences may be shared electronically.