James Henry Grimberg

James (Jim) Grimberg was born on March 15, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois to Cornelius Grimberg and Nellie Bolhuis Grimberg. Shortly after his 3rd birthday, he, and his family (mother and younger brother, Edward) moved to Denver, Colorado to be closer to his father, who was in Bethesda, a TB sanitarium in Denver. When Jim was 9, his father was released from the sanitarium and a year later his brother George was born. His father died when Jim was 13, from a heart attack. He attended Denver Christian School until his 16th birthday when he walked out of school, never to return, with the blessing of his mother and the principal. During the next several years he held a number of jobs, culminating when he entered the Coast Guard in April of 1964.

He first met his future wife while in Seattle, enroute to his first duty station, the USCGC Modoc out of Coos Bay Oregon. From there he was sent to the USCGC Sedge in Cordova, Alaska. Two months later he was transferred to Cape Hinchenbrook, a lighthouse duty station on Hinchenbrook Island in Alaska. On August 25, 1967, Jim married Beulah (Bé) Emily Buss from Tacoma, Washington. He continued to be a part of the Coast Guard, rising to the rank of DCCME9, Damage Controlman Chief Master, E9. He and his family moved many times, starting married life in Seattle, Washington where Rebecca (Becci) was born. Next was the USCGC Sweetbrier in Juneau, Alaska where David (D.J.) was born. His next duty station took the family across the continent to the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut where Andrew (Andy) was born. Then on to the USCGC Duane in Portland, Maine where Loreen (Lori) was born. From there they moved to Traverse City Air Station, Traverse City, Michigan, then to Tracen Cape May, New Jersey, and ending his east coast tour at Base Portsmouth, Virginia. His last duty station was in Alameda, California, where he had originally gone through boot camp. It was no longer a boot camp, so instead he was in a unit providing support to ship and shore stations up and down the West Coast and the Pacific Theater. He retired from the Coast Guard on September 1, 1990, having spent 26 ½ years serving his country both at sea and on land. The family settled first in Stanwood, Washington to be near his wife’s family. He and the family thought it had the best of both parts of the country - the mountains, and the sea which he loved. Later he and his wife Bé moved to the Mount Vernon, Washington area.

After retiring from the Coast Guard, Jim was hired by the Washington State Patrol as a Maintenance Mechanic. His work took him from the King/Snohomish County line to the Canadian Border, keeping 21 buildings and scale houses in excellent repair. He retired from the State Patrol in 2009, having worked there for 17 years. During that time, he also did many different repair jobs for the people he worked with in the Patrol, as well as people who heard about him from others. He loved coming up with innovative ways to solve many problems on the houses, both electrical and cosmetic.

The Coast Guard motto is “Semper Peratus”- meaning “Always Ready”. He was always ready to help his family because family meant everything to Jim. He did not understand children, tending to see them as just little adults, but oh, how he loved them. He did not always tell them, but he was so proud of their accomplishments. His first concern whenever moving was to find a good home that would meet the needs of the children and his wife. He was willing to do repairs around the house if it meant a better home for the family. He also turned down a couple of possible duty stations because he did not feel that it would be a place where his children would thrive. He absolutely loved the period of time when his daughter, Becci, and her husband Scott, lived with us as he was able to cuddle and play with his grandchildren. Granddaughter Faith, who was born shortly after Jim had bypass surgery, was the reason he was willing to obey the surgeon’s injunction to stay home rather than returning to work. He held her, cuddled her, and played with both grandchildren, developing a bond with them that was never broken. He loved having his family gather together whenever possible. He looked forward to their visits, always ready to make popcorn as only Opa could make it. Of course, they would have to help him because that was what made it taste so good! He also loved being asked by his children to go to their homes to do extensive repairs or remodeling. No matter what the project was, he found a way to accomplish it.

Jim passed away from bladder cancer on March 11, 2023, 4 days before his 80th birthday. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Nellie Grimberg. He is survived by his wife Beulah (Bé), two brothers Ed and George, daughter Becci (Scott Boersema), son D.J. (Amica), son Andy (Catherine Anne), daughter Lori (Milton Eng) and grandchildren Wesley and Faith Boersema, Thalia and Brinleigh Grimberg, Makaio and Marek Eng, and William Grimberg.

Donations may be made to the Cascade Christian Reformed Church, Marysville, WA or to a charity of your choice.

God bless America, land that I love, Stand beside her and guide her Through the night with a light from above; From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans white with foam, God bless America, my home, sweet home. God bless America, my home, sweet home