James Greg Blaine

Jim was born in Toledo, OH where he had an idyllic childhood with his parents and siblings. He was the third of four children. He was never afraid to try new things, food or meet new people and he seemed to be born with a magnetic personality. His mother would take the children to visit various religious faiths including the Kingdom Hall. Due to the influence of his grandparents who were Jehovah’s Witnesses, he ended up studying and dedicating his life as a witness. All throughout his life he maintained a deep faith in the Bible’s promises. In his late teens he learned he had glomerulonephritis, a type of terminal kidney disease that was not well known back in the early 1970’s. Later, being an adventurer, he decided to move out west to Colorado where his family had vacationed on a regular basis.

Soon after becoming a witness, he married Ellen Gallegos. They stayed married despite the difficulties of living with a chronic, terminal illness which puts unimaginable strains on both spouses. Ellen had to become the bread winner due to Jim’s constant illnesses and hospitalization. Interestingly, men with glomerulonephritis have a very low chance of fathering children (when he first started dialysis, only seven out of 40,000 had one child and none of 40,000 had two). Yet Jim fathered two girls. They became the apples of his eye and because he was a stay-at-home dad most of his life, he was able to bond with them in ways that most dads don’t get the opportunity to.

Jim started dialysis in April 1976, but it wasn’t until the late 1980s that he decided to explore the possibility of a kidney transplant. Transplants are not a cure and do not last forever but would provide relief from the strains of dialysis. Lovingly, all his siblings offered to donate a kidney and in 1991 Roger went first. The transplant lasted until 1999. Then his brother Larry volunteered, and a second transplant took place in 2001. Jim was meticulous at educating himself about everything he could do to maintain the health of his kidney, including a radical diet that involved no animal protein (which is difficult for kidneys to process). These experiences bonded him with his siblings whom he deeply loved. Because of their willingness to be living donors, Jim was able to extend his life by 30 years.

Jim was described as an intelligent, outgoing, and fun-loving adventurer. He was an incredible pianist, a voracious reader, and a wonderful cook. He was courageous, humble, and compassionate. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. As he put it, “Life is ephemeral and temporary.” Based on his faith – he is now sleeping in death awaiting a resurrection to a better world. One of his favorite books of the Bible was Ecclesiastes, but also Psalms especially chapter 116 where it starts out by saying: I love Jehovah because he hears my voice, my pleas for help. For He inclines his ear to me, and I will call on him as long as I live…

He is survived by his wife Ellen of 47 years. His two daughters and their husbands: Jennifer and Joe Morrissette, and Erica and John Scherer. His two grandchildren Elora and Jordan, and two great-grandchildren Oliver and Kairi. His mother Joyce, his aunt Marilyn, his siblings Roger, Larry and Carolyn and many cousins.

Services: Saturday 12/10/22 at 11AM

Reception: 12-2PM

Location: Hampden Hall - Englewood Civic Center 1000 Englewood Pkwy, 2nd Floor. Enter from the main upper parking lot which is the entrance off Hampden. The hall will be the first door on the right.

Zoom link will be provided upon request