Jim S Gregg

Jim was born in 1940 on August 23rd at his parents' farm home near Nehawka, NE. He was the youngest of 9 children, 6 boys and 3 girls. All his siblings have preceded him in death.

As a little boy he played in the dirt, rode his bike on county roads, built toys from toothpicks and flour/water paste made in the kitchen by his mother. One of his friends down the road a mile or so had a family horse and a little cart on wheels. They would take off in the morning and ride all over exploring their surroundings.

He helped his dad farm at about age 8 and was still doing farming for neighbors until he started barber school. He was "all boy" all the time. He had a special and close relationship with his mother. She was quiet and unassuming, but very wise and from her he gleaned insight, wisdom, perseverance, and deep love.

He went to a one-room country school through 8th grade, then went to Nehawka High School graduating in 1958. In 1959, he enrolled in a barber school in Omaha, NE. He worked his way through barber school by cleaning, waxing, and buffing floors in the nearby First National Bank of Omaha at night 6-11:30 every night but Sunday.

His first job, barbering, was in Omaha but he didn't like it and chose to move to Grand Island, NE. His barbering job there was with a nice young man and they were growing their business successfully. He fit in and made many friends.

After that first year, his dad died and he chose to move to Plattsmouth, NE, where his mother lived to help and take care of her. He got a good job barbering at Leo's Barber Shop in Plattsmouth, right around the corner from "Corky's Cafe". That's where he met Suzan, Corky's oldest daughter, running around with a pencil behind her ear, taking orders and waiting on customers. They got to know each other in a casual way but there was a big age difference. Suzan was only 17 and a high school senior and he was a 23 year old businessman on Main Street! She knew he'd never ask her for a date. By the grapevine, she heard he'd been drafted into the Army and would leave in a few weeks for basic training. Her high school homecoming dance was right around the corner that fall, so she invited him for a date. They clicked! He asked her out a few more times and then he left for the Army. They wrote many letters to each other. He came home on leave Christmas of 1964. They grew closer and when he came home for good on September 29th, 1965 they planned their wedding for 4 months later on January 29, 1966. This year was their 59th anniversary.

They moved several times in the first four years but by 1970, they'd bought a cheap, old house and began to barber by day and renovate by night for 7 years. Then the home was finished and very comfortable. Deena, their daughter, came along in April of 1970. Susan went to Barber College in Omaha, NE in 1976 and 1977. Somehow they managed to keep it all together.

By 1984 their town stopped growing and Jim was wise to know they should move. They discovered Colorado through Suzan's sister, Maureen, and came to Fort Collins in October of 1984. They've barbered here for over 40 years. Jim retired after 60 consecutive years of barbering! Suzan still works as a Master Barber.

Their lives together have been greatly blessed through all the years by God, family, friends, and customers. Jim's favorite Bible verse was Romans 8:28, "We know that ALL THINGS work together for GOOD, for those who love the LORD and are called according to HIS purposes." By God's grace and mercy and loving kindness, Jim and Suzan have finished the long 10-year journey of his lung disease. Their deep and abiding love withstood all their successes and trials.

Praise the LORD and thank you Father. Jim was clever inventive, funny, wise, a master of one-liners, discerning, helpful, positive, ambitious, and always looking forward and trying to be better.

Jim is survived by Suzan, daughter Deena, granddaughter Hannah, sister-in-law Maureen, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered and missed by all who loved and adored him and until the broken chain shall link again.