1937
David
2017
David Richard Greif
August 24, 1937 — January 14, 2017
David Richard Greif, 79, of Payette, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, after a challenging 16 year journey with Parkinson's Disease. The disease diminished his physical capabilities which affected his lifestyle, but it never diminished his faith in God, sense of humor, or his zest for living. He never complained, and continually demonstrated amazing strength and persistence.
He was born Aug. 24, 1937, the first of 12 children to Irvin and Alma Greif in Boise, ID. He grew up in Payette, attending Payette Schools and began playing sports at a young age. He became a very talented athlete, and was known for his speed and ball handling ability. His brother, Dan, noted that Dave was so fast that when he caught the football, he would run down the sidelines past everyone to score a touchdown! David is also remembered for playing baseball with Harmon Killebrew. This past summer he demonstrated his determination and athleticism again, as he impressed the entire family by hitting a pitched ball during a family reunion softball game.
David graduated from Payette High School in 1955, and went on to attend Boise Junior College, San Jose State Teachers College, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. On Aug. 16, 1958 he married his sweetheart, Virginia L. Cassidy. Dave always said he picked that wedding date so Ginny would be sure to remember his birthday on the 24th of Aug.! David taught choir for one year at Jerome Junior High and High School, and the following year he and Ginny moved back to Colorado so he could teach choir at the Air Force Academy High School in Colorado Springs. He returned to Idaho to work with his father in the family business; Greif's Music Center, and later became a co-owner with his brother, John. He spent many years traveling to several schools in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada, to sell, rent and service musical instruments. While he didn't make much money in the music business, Dave admitted that he was willing to forgo wealth because of his love for music, and he always knew the Lord would provide for him and his family.
David's love of music led him to sing and perform in community theater performances at Treasure Valley Community College. He also sang in the Treasure Valley Chorale for many years, and enjoyed singing in a trio with his brothers, John and Mike. Dave blessed many people with his musical talents on the saxophone and the clarinet playing in church, at family gatherings, and with many groups including with the Dixie Land Society of Ontario, Ed's Band (later known as the Treasure Valley Swing Band), and the Treasure Valley Wind Symphony. Another love of David's life was working in the garden with Virginia. The couple always had a huge, abundant garden often with prize-winning produce; like 100 pound pumpkins, 11 foot tall sunflowers, and 1100 pounds of tomatoes in one season.
David left a legacy of musical talent and athleticism to his family and friends which will live on in his children and grandchildren for decades to come. He taught his young family to ski when he served on the National Ski Patrol at Hitt Mountain, and was a huge fan and supporter of all his children and grandchildren in their athletic and musical endeavors. Several of them received athletic scholarships, and many have inherited his love and talent for music. He was a loving brother, husband, father, and grandfather with a great sense of humor. He will be sorely missed.
His most important accomplishment was sharing his love for and commitment to the Lord, Jesus Christ, with a many people as he could. He ministered as an elder in the Payette Tabernacle Church and blessed many people with his beautiful singing voice. He personified the expression, "keep a song in your heart", which he always did.
David was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother, Sidney Greif. He leaves behind the love of his life, Virginia of 58 years and his beloved children Rick (Jody) Greif of Payette, Mark (Laurie) Greif of Klamath Falls, OR, Lori (Daryl) Smith of Kuna and Julie Strickland of McCall, 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his 10 siblings Mary Greif of Payette, Sarah (Don) Olson of Eagle, John (Sue) Greif of Payette, Ruth (Randy) Smith of Coeur d'Alene, Joseph (Judy) Greif of Hagerman, Esther (Dave) Ball of Fruitland, Martha Greif of Payette, Margaret (Dave) Levson of Calgary, Alberta Canada, Daniel (Jenna) Greif of San Diego, CA and Mike (Gwen) Greif of Payette and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life for David R. Greif will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the Payette First United Methodist Church in Payette, ID. In lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations to Community Concerts of Treasure Valley, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Condolences may be sent to David's family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.
When: Saturday, April 22nd, 2017
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
He was born Aug. 24, 1937, the first of 12 children to Irvin and Alma Greif in Boise, ID. He grew up in Payette, attending Payette Schools and began playing sports at a young age. He became a very talented athlete, and was known for his speed and ball handling ability. His brother, Dan, noted that Dave was so fast that when he caught the football, he would run down the sidelines past everyone to score a touchdown! David is also remembered for playing baseball with Harmon Killebrew. This past summer he demonstrated his determination and athleticism again, as he impressed the entire family by hitting a pitched ball during a family reunion softball game.
David graduated from Payette High School in 1955, and went on to attend Boise Junior College, San Jose State Teachers College, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. On Aug. 16, 1958 he married his sweetheart, Virginia L. Cassidy. Dave always said he picked that wedding date so Ginny would be sure to remember his birthday on the 24th of Aug.! David taught choir for one year at Jerome Junior High and High School, and the following year he and Ginny moved back to Colorado so he could teach choir at the Air Force Academy High School in Colorado Springs. He returned to Idaho to work with his father in the family business; Greif's Music Center, and later became a co-owner with his brother, John. He spent many years traveling to several schools in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada, to sell, rent and service musical instruments. While he didn't make much money in the music business, Dave admitted that he was willing to forgo wealth because of his love for music, and he always knew the Lord would provide for him and his family.
David's love of music led him to sing and perform in community theater performances at Treasure Valley Community College. He also sang in the Treasure Valley Chorale for many years, and enjoyed singing in a trio with his brothers, John and Mike. Dave blessed many people with his musical talents on the saxophone and the clarinet playing in church, at family gatherings, and with many groups including with the Dixie Land Society of Ontario, Ed's Band (later known as the Treasure Valley Swing Band), and the Treasure Valley Wind Symphony. Another love of David's life was working in the garden with Virginia. The couple always had a huge, abundant garden often with prize-winning produce; like 100 pound pumpkins, 11 foot tall sunflowers, and 1100 pounds of tomatoes in one season.
David left a legacy of musical talent and athleticism to his family and friends which will live on in his children and grandchildren for decades to come. He taught his young family to ski when he served on the National Ski Patrol at Hitt Mountain, and was a huge fan and supporter of all his children and grandchildren in their athletic and musical endeavors. Several of them received athletic scholarships, and many have inherited his love and talent for music. He was a loving brother, husband, father, and grandfather with a great sense of humor. He will be sorely missed.
His most important accomplishment was sharing his love for and commitment to the Lord, Jesus Christ, with a many people as he could. He ministered as an elder in the Payette Tabernacle Church and blessed many people with his beautiful singing voice. He personified the expression, "keep a song in your heart", which he always did.
David was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother, Sidney Greif. He leaves behind the love of his life, Virginia of 58 years and his beloved children Rick (Jody) Greif of Payette, Mark (Laurie) Greif of Klamath Falls, OR, Lori (Daryl) Smith of Kuna and Julie Strickland of McCall, 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his 10 siblings Mary Greif of Payette, Sarah (Don) Olson of Eagle, John (Sue) Greif of Payette, Ruth (Randy) Smith of Coeur d'Alene, Joseph (Judy) Greif of Hagerman, Esther (Dave) Ball of Fruitland, Martha Greif of Payette, Margaret (Dave) Levson of Calgary, Alberta Canada, Daniel (Jenna) Greif of San Diego, CA and Mike (Gwen) Greif of Payette and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life for David R. Greif will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the Payette First United Methodist Church in Payette, ID. In lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations to Community Concerts of Treasure Valley, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Condolences may be sent to David's family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.
Service Details.
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When: Saturday, April 22nd, 2017
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
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