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Marshall Jerome Greer

Marshall Greer Obituary

Greer, Marshall Jerome
Passed away on April 13, 2011 at the age of 65. Jerry battled colon cancer bravely for 6 years. Born 10/11/45 in Duluth, MN. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Bella Martinez Greer; son, Wade Allen Greer; grandson, Gavin Greer. Jerry leaves behind loving family, friends and co-workers at Alliance where he worked for over 30 years. He served in the USAF during the Vietnam War. Rosary April 19 at 7:30 pm and Funeral Mass April 20 at 10:00 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church at 3630 N 71st
Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Arizona Cancer Center for Colon Cancer Research. Please contact Debbie Hess, 602-760-2702, at Alliance Beverage Distributing Co.
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Published by The Arizona Republic on Apr. 17, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Marshall Greer

48 Entries

Luis Garcia

May 10, 2011

This weekend will be the first physical inventory at Alliance Beverage without you, my friend. We will miss you. We relied on you so much to get us prepared on the Thursday and Friday before the count. You did a great job in teaching us what you did, so I'm sure we'll get by. Thank you. From now until the last inventory that I participate in at Alliance, I will always remember you. You are such a good friend. You are the kind of friend that never needed much attention, but always gave me the attention I needed but didn't deserve. You always listened intently to my stories, and told me some great stories of your own. A part of my day is missing...the first part when I'd greet you with my "Good morning, senor", and we'd chat awhile. It seemed that you patiently waited for me to make my rounds, because as I went around the office greeting the staff, I always made it a point to end at your cubicle. Our conversations were the best.

It still feels like you're just on vacation, and that you'll be back. But, we know that is just not the case. I am sad that you are gone, but I'm happy that your pain has ended. You don't know what an inspiration you are to me and so many others. You are a man of grace, courage, and humility.

What follows is my eulogy to you that I delivered at your rosary. I could not keep it together as I spoke to those gathered for prayer. I hope you will forgive me.

TRIBUTE TO MJ (April 19, 2011)

In a very moving speech, the late Jim Valvano, North Carolina State’s famous basketball coach, who died of bone cancer in 1993, said that every day we should do three things:

We should laugh every day, we should spend some time in thought, and every day we should have our emotions moved to tears.

Today and tomorrow, over the course of this celebration of MJ’s life, we will do all these. We loved him, and so we grieve our loss. We grieve our loss, and so we cry. But before we are done, I’m sure we’ll also laugh as we share stories about him with each other today and at the reception tomorrow.

Bella asked me to speak about MJ as a representative of Alliance Beverage, a place he worked for over 30 years. I am honored. MJ was a wonderful employee. He loved Alliance Beverage. As a member of my team, MJ gave me something very important - peace of mind. It’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing that he always did thing right. I never worried about his motives because they were always about making things better at Alliance Beverage.

Over the thirty years MJ made many friends. Many have since left Alliance, but have remained in touch. Some of you are here today. Some of you still at Alliance have shared stories with me about him – all of them warm, most of them funny. As most of you know, MJ’s cubicle was very close to my office, so every day my routine was to stop at his cubicle and chat with him before diving into the day’s projects. We chatted about a lot of things. What was cool was that MJ knew something about a lot of things. We talked about digital cameras and PhotoShop. We talked about food and wine. We talked about family and friends. We talked about programming. We sometimes talked about woodworking (one day he brought me some beautiful lathe chisels that I cherish). We never talked about sports. Oh, and by the way, occasionally we did talk about work.

One subject about work that he always brought up was a programming term he called RAID. It stands for “Redundancy Array of Independent Disks”. Basically, it means we have to have backups. Of course, the term refers to computer data backups, but he used it to emphasize our need to cross train. To have someone who could replace another member of the team if the need arose. When he found out that his cancer was terminal, he wasted no time in practicing what he preached. He immediately began training someone who could be his eventual replacement. But, I’m here to tell you, my compadre, there is no one who will ever replace you in friendship, character, and spirit. I will miss you, my compadre.

Cancer changed MJ. It made him stronger. Of course his physical abilities were diminished – he didn’t have the stamina that he once did. But the courage that he showed us, the dignity with which he carried himself, and the grace that poured out of his soul was a true inspiration to us all. When our time comes, we will remember him as the perfect example to follow.

May God Bless You, MJ. Thank you for being in our lives.

Mary Gianni

May 10, 2011

Life - being, entity, growth, animation, endurance, survival , presence, living, consciousness, breath, vitality, experiences, excitement. MJ, thank you for the meaning of life, you are to me and to many, Love, Laughter and Learning.
And... to Bella, you are the love of his life, we should all be so lucky!
You are forever in my heart and were the best "lunch buddy" ever! I will have a smile for you each and everyday.

Kristina Denniston

May 7, 2011

Having Uncle Jerry as my godfather was very special to me and I have many fond memories of him. One great memory that I have of him was when my family and I were visiting his and Aunt Bella’s house in Arizona. We arrived at their house at around nine o’clock and they had a “taco bar” prepared for us for dinner. I was a pretty picky eater at the time, and I politely told them that I didn’t really like tacos. Uncle Jerry told me I could put whatever I wanted on my taco shell. He let me do two things that my mother would almost never let me do; have absolutely no meat and he let me put a little salt on my veggies :) That taco meal showed me what a gentle man Uncle Jerry was. It made me really happy that he understood me! I know I will miss him very much. I love you, Uncle Jerry.

Andrew Denniston

May 7, 2011

: I have few memories of Uncle Jerry but that doesn’t mean that I don’t know the amazing man that he was. I do however, remember the first time I had ever been to an Indian wedding (Fara and Chuck) and Jerry was there. My sister and I had been talking amongst ourselves and our uncle Jerry stepped in and gently said, “Hey this is the first time I’ve seen an Indian wedding and I’m an old man, so you guys should watch this because you two are so young,” and he said it in a way that a young child like me would listen and understand. That was when I saw that uncle Jerry loved to learn and tried to pull a lesson out of everything that he did. But everyone knew that about Jerry, what really mattered was the fact that he wanted me to learn. Uncle Jerry was a very smart man and shared the intelligence, not because he wanted to flaunt his genius, but because he wanted to educate the minds of others and not just in subjects you would learn at school but all aspects of life. To me Jerry was an excellent uncle, teacher, friend, and all around man of great knowledge. The physical presence of Jerry will be missed; the memories of him will not be forgotten, but what is most important is what he gave to us, his wisdom.

Hilda & Bill Denniston

May 7, 2011

We were so fortunate to have had the honor of meeting Jerry through our dear friend, Bella. Throughout the early 90’s we became close friends with Bella and Jerry through camping trips in northern Arizona and New Mexico, dinners and shows like “Phantom of the Opera” and spending time at each other’s homes and at their place in Sedona. By the time our first child, Kristina, was born there was no question who we would want for our daughter’s godparents. We were so thrilled when Bella and Jerry accepted for they have been exceptional godparents. We still remember them traveling from Arizona to California to be there for Kristina’s first communion. Jerry made a most delicious prime rib dinner and also managed to get some amazing pictures of Kristina on her special day. For those who don’t already know, these were two of his favorite things, cooking and photography. An important life lesson Jerry taught us was “moderation in everything… including moderation”. We love you Jerry, thank you, and we will never forget you!

Nataly & Gabriel Rivera

May 7, 2011

Tim Kasovac

May 5, 2011

My Friend MJ,
I first experienced MJ when I started working at Alliance Beverage in 2000. He approached me with a big smile and an open hand. MJ approached everyone that way. There were no strangers just people he had not met yet.
MJ was a great help to me growing as a manager and person. He had a way of reading people that allowed him to treat everyone with respect and present it in a way that they were very receptive and open. In watching MJ work his magic, he helped me learn how to respond to people that were having issues by understanding their real issue not usually what was being discussed. This brought peace to my group along with higher productivity because I understood their need/ concerns. MJ was a wonderful sounding board for new ideas. He never let the phase “we have always done it that way” clog his mind for better easier ways to do something. It was from MJ I heard the phase “necessity is not the mother of invention, laziness is.” This is true as I was always looking for ways to get the mundane things done quicker so I can work on the fun stuff.
MJ also knew how the company really ran and who to talk with to get things done. He was a huge help in implementing the PO system at Alliance. As our team was putting the presentation together, MJ would provide suggestions to make sure we presented this in a way that was favorable to the people in the room. This could be from a financial side or using a pie chart instead of a bar graph. MJ was amazing.
MJ was also a man of diverse talents and interest, from photography to cooking and travel. I would love discussing different recipes he and I had tried including our spin on them. Then he would provide a suggestion to ad that next level of flavor, like nutmeg in my pork chop stuffing. The sauces we would discuss for the different meats were fun as MJ liked to experiment as much as I.
Whether MJ knew it or not, he was a mentor to me in my young manager’s career. He helped me learn to keep an even temper and/ or excitement during those surprise times. He also helped me understand how to “play the game” call office politics. He was a master at it. He taught me when to let the little things go and when to not. When I needed to vent with out and answer, MJ understood that he just needed to listen, which he did.
I cannot say enough about this wonderful man I call my friendMJ this world lost a great man but you are Heavens gain.

May 5, 2011

Dear Bella,
You and Jerry were blessed with love, kindness, caring and sharing. I am very fortunate and thankful to have Jerry's and your friendship. Jerry was quite a gentleman with an inspiring personality. I recall his encouragement when I struggled with the paint brushes. And you are a wonderful lady and a great soul whom Jerry relied on in life and during his ordeal. I will be honored to continue enjoying your friendship.
Much love from all of us. Shahram

Viehweber Family

Shelley Viehweber

May 5, 2011

On Death
Kahlil Gibran

You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

With love to you forever

Shelley (Ontario Canada)

Cale & Connor Pilgreen

May 5, 2011

Dear Aunt Bella,

Uncle Jerry will be really missed. In all the good years he had alive, it was fun knowing him. The Bible says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength". You have been doing that through these hard times. I love you.
Love ~ Cale (Teddy too!) 9 years old

Dear Aunt Bella

Here is Connor's message to you. He typed it more or less by himself. Grassy is his favorite stuffed animal, a zebra. My boys all went to their rooms and grabbed their favorite stuffed animals to hug when they heard that Uncle Jerry had passed on. Cara

Dear Aunt Bella,
How are you are you feeling Ok I am ok thanks for Asking How is Paco is grandma there I love you so does Grassy the Lord is always with you from. Connor in two days it is my basketball game and Cale is too
Love you,
Connor (7 years old)

Baron & Jennifer Reed

May 4, 2011

Uncle Jerry had a gift for life, as much as anyone I’ve ever known. His love of art, of photography, of cooking, of wine--and, most especially and most obviously, of his wife, my aunt Bella--were his ways of filling his life--and ours--with love. I will always remember Uncle Jerry for his passions and for being a shining example of what life lived passionately can be.

As it turned out, Uncle Jerry had a gift for dying, too. He never gave way to bitterness or self-pity but continued to embrace the beautiful and good things to be found in this world. One of my favorite memories is the unplanned Skype conversation we had with you last year. It really felt as though we had dropped by your house, and Uncle Jerry was waiting just to play host to us. He was able to relate so well to our girls, I thought at the time that they would be able to get a sense of the depths of his personality and your tremendous love for each other. But the impression that he made was even deeper than I had thought--they have both been so grief-stricken at his passing. I do regret that they were not able to spend more time with him, but I am so happy that they had the chance to know him as older children. I know they will never forget him. None of us ever could.

Aunt Bella, thank you so much for bringing him into our family. There is no greater gift you could have given us.

We love you both so much,

Baron, Jennifer, Isabella, Catherine

May 4, 2011

Bella Greer

May 4, 2011

My Love ~ We have shared so many memories together and I keep them safely tucked away in my heart. I am glad you are at peace but I must admit I am not. Me and Paco are still waiting for you to come in the front door and give me a kiss. I miss so many things about you that the list is too long to mention here. Can you see me in the garden we built together every morning having coffee with you? I have lost my best friend, protector, teacher and advisor. Please, from heaven, still be all those things for me as I feel lost and alone. I am trying to live as you would like me to but without you I don't know how so please help me. Paco still whimpers for you at night and I know he is also looking for you. You taught him well as he is being my protector and companion. I will do my best to be patient and wait until you come for me and I hope it is soon. My life without you is empty and I am trying to fill it helping others as best I can. But no one but you will fill that empty space in my heart that you occupied. I try for you because I want you to look down from heaven and be proud of me. But keep in mind you were my cheerleader, my mentor and my guide. How am I supposed to do all the things meant for me without your guidance and support? All I can promise you right now is that I will try but my heart is broken and the half that was yours is missing. You were and still are the man I need; the one that made me feel safe and secure; these are things about ME and the only comfort I feel is that you have been restored, are at peace and with Our Lord. Tell my Mother and Ricardo I miss them as well and give them a big hug and kiss for me. I pray that I will join all of you soon but not in my time but the Lords. Everyone misses you so much it hurts. I stopped by Alliance and because your presence is so evident there the tears come too easily for me and others. We all ask for your help and guidance and amazingly we receive it. We all smile about it and laugh with the tears still clinging to our eye lashes. What an amazing man you are and the gift of your time here with us brought us such joy.
Until we meet again my love,
Bella

Rosemary Ditmore

May 2, 2011

Dear Jerry - I suspect you're still busy setting up your new digs in heaven. Bet you have cameras with infinite pixels, lenses that zoom from micro to macro to way out there, the newest edition of Photoshop that hasn't even been developed yet, computers with terabyte hard drives that never crash, gourmet cookware for use on your new induction range, never-dull knives, and the finest vintage wines that would make the ultimate cork masters - Frasier & Niles Crane - winners of the Sour Grapes Award. We're sure your place is filled with sketch pads, easels, brushes, pencils, paints and art tools to last an eternity or two. By the way, how is that new woodworking equipment working for you? Turn a few bowls yet? Bet the orders are flying in from all parts of heaven. And just to make sure your right brain gets a good workout, the latest edition of accounting software is ready for your review. Hope you've had a chance to read through all the entries in your guest book. Knowing how humble you were, I imagine you've been taken aback by how many lives you touched in your short 65 years on Earth. I am privileged to be one of those people. You made laugh. You made me cry. Most of all, you made think about life, about love, about living, about death. You have given me many memories that I will always cherish, especially the times Bella, you, Don and I were together in our slice of paradise on Kauai. Also want you to know that every time I walk by the photo you took of Don and me, I will think of you. I don't remember what you said to us before you snapped the shutter, but you captured the love we share in that photograph. I admire you for showing Don and I what it truly means to love another person so completely as you did and always will with Bella. When we pass from this life, we're counting on you to take our hands and lead us into eternal happiness. The circle remains unbroken. Until we meet again, my friend, Happy Trails. Rosey

Nathan, Kimberly, and Josiah Walters

April 29, 2011

While I have not been granted the many opportunities that most that know Jerry have had, to spend in his presence, I do believe that I know him. The warmth and genuineness of this man was openly expressed to me immediately and unconditionally, upon being introduced to him. All of the many stories that Bella had shared with me, in regard to this companion of companions, quickly came to life. The memories she had shared took on so much more significance instantly, as I experienced his personality and beaming smile.

What a privilege it was to hear his family and friends share their memories, as we gathered to celebrate his life. A common thread that stood out to me was how he made people laugh and laugh. I am not a scientist by any means, but I do know that biologically speaking, when we laugh it creates a variety of positive chemicals in our body. These positive chemicals then cause us to have better overall health. Jerry literally brought good health and cheer into the lives of those around him. As a result of this good cheer, his family and friends have many incredible memories that live on, and are sure to be shared time and time again.

On behalf of our family, we want to thank God for granting the world the opportunity to know Jerry. We also now want to thank God for giving His Son’s life, so that we can know Jerry eternally in His presence.

As the Bible was read during the Mass, these words too took on greater significance, just as Bella’s stories had done when I was first introduced to Jerry. As the truth found in God’s word was applied to the life of this man whom we miss, the peace of God flooded the hearts of those whom know Him because He was there celebrating Jerry’s life with us too. The Lord was celebrating because that which He had had accomplished at Calvary, had now been completed in fullness in the life of Jerry. Praise the Lord for His love and faithfulness are unfailing and everlasting!

From our hearts to yours Bella, Family, and Friends:

“May the LORD bless you and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.”

Nataly Rivera

April 28, 2011

NATALY’S EULOGY FOR
JERRY GREER
April 19, 2011 (Rosary Service)

Life itself is a gift.
I firmly believe that with everything else in life, including hardships like the passing of a loved one, there is good. Sometimes it is hidden, sometimes it is evident, but regardless it is there.
Jerry was a gift to all of us.

To my family specifically, he touched our lives in a way that we will never forget. Bella and Jerry befriended my family in a time when we didn’t know very many people nor had any friends. But they were the first and they took my family under their wings, protected and loved us as if we were family. And that is exactly what we are, we became a family.

To my father, Luis, he was his very best friend. Mr. Greer was an extremely polite and gentle man with anyone he came across with, but when it came to his friends and loved ones, a new dimension of his character became strongly and clearly evident: A commitment to simply give love without reservations and without hesitation, a commitment to just give of himself, and to give without expectations to receive, a commitment to accept his loved ones exactly as they were. Jerry made my dad laugh. His sense of humor allowed him to make fun of anything including himself, when spending time with him he could count on a healthy dose of laughter with his Mr. Greer. During 16 years of friendship and conversations he never once heard him complain about anything, even in his final days. He provided a joy for my father that no one else could and looking back, realizes that he exemplified for us how to give and lay down your life for your family and friends.

To my mother, or as Jerry would call her, “pretty lady” he was a man of respect. The kind of man that is hard to come by now a day, a very special, truly one of a kind man who she admires. She will remember him most for the quality of help he provided through his ability to be ever so prudent and by every definition a wise man. Yet, awestruck by how genuinely humble he was, and how he never felt superior to any one. Words cannot express how thankful my mom is for the way he took my brother and I and adopted us as if we were his own. Showing and teaching us things that only he could do.

For my little brother, Gabriel, he was a strong supporter. Always believing in the great man that my brother will become and led by example, the true meaning of what it means to be a man. In a way, Gabriel remembers him as more than a third grandfather, but as a friend. Among his memories of trips to the zoo, movies, was this past Christmas Jerry gave my brother his very own set of throwing knives. I will never forget the strong bond they cherished as Jerry taught him the proper way of throwing the knives, one of many memories I know he will never lose.

And for me, I would not be the same person I am today, without the impact and love of having Jerry and Bella in my life. Aside from my parents, both Jerry and Bella were my strongest supporters and source of encouragement. They have never failed to let me know how much I am loved and how proud of me they are. But in reality, I owe so much of my strength to them. Jerry taught me so much about life and the meaning of real happiness. One of the biggest lessons I learned from Jerry was through his unconditional love for Bella. I am filled with so many beautiful memories of what it means to truly love someone and with his big heart, it was never ending.

We remember Jerry as a man who was intelligent beyond belief; you couldn’t spend 5 minutes around him without learning something new and I always told him he belonged on the tv show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. He was an inspiration, passionate about the simple things in life and the beauty of art in its many forms. He was witty in his comedic moments with every humorous commentary that always made us laugh. A man who loved and was loved in return. A man who left behind a legacy of memories that will stay with us forever.

Romans 14:7-8 says, “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
I am sure I speak for all of us when I say; I cannot wait to be reunited with him one day, partying with the angels in the presence of God and happier than we could ever imagine.

We love you, Jerry.

Malena Rivera

April 28, 2011

16 years ago I met a great man, full of qualities, Mr. Jerry Greer, everything a gentleman, a respectable, talented, wise and prudent man, with an incredible sense of humor,humble of heart; he always had positive a response to every situation. He was intelligent, and a man blessed by the Lord with a great wife, Bella. I thank God for having known him. He came to our lives in perfect timing when we needed to have someone close to us. Together we shared moments of happiness, sadness, disease, times of testing in which he was always positive. I'll always be grateful to him for the great love he had for my children Nataly and Gabriel and for the lessons that they always carry in their hearts. Thank you Jerry for so much love, for your friendship, you will always live in my heart and I rest in the promise of the Lord that one day we will see each other again and we will be together praising Him.

For my great friend Bella, all my love and my support as always. "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41: 10

Bill & Jay Shelton

April 27, 2011

Oh Jerry and Bella,
We can only imagine your days and moments. You have been given such strength. Jerry, to you, and also to Bela, I have written the following in thinking of how you might be seeing God.
Our God's face is all we ponder in these final moments. His hands are felt beneath our head. The strength in His arms support our body. His eyes tear in empathy. His ears hear His name in our prayers and our cry's and plea's, and our praise. His voice in the Word of God is our comfort and our hope. Soon we will hear His song, sung to us perhaps by Him, and it will fill heaven as He welcomes us Home. His heart He gave us, to pay for our sin. How blessed we are to be able to accept His gift of forgiveness and eternal life.
How thankful Bill and I are to have known you Jerry and Bella for these many years. God fills our days with His guidance and love, His mercy and grace. He shall not fail us now. Jerry, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Bella, God is the Husband to the widow and will assume the protection and comfort Jerry has always provided you. For Bill and I and those who all love you Jerry and Bella, God will be our strength and will give us courage to go on without Jerry here on Earth and to be of help where we can for you Bella. Jesus will be coming soon, maybe even this week, for those who are His. We believe in the Book of Revelation and it's promises. We have a way of escape, and Jesus is it. We will all be together very, very soon, I pray.
What a sweet moment you have given us in letting us know about your Home going. We will continue to pray for you both, and for the family and friends. God has blessed us with your life. Be there to welcome us home Jerry, we will look for you. Isa. 41:10 "Fear not for I am with you. Be ye not afraid for I am your God. I will help you. I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."

Please keep us informed. We send our love and warm hugs.
We rejoice in Jerry's life. His creativity, love of life and His laughter. Please God, we pray for strength for Jerry and those of us left behind to occupy untill you come for us... Thank you Lord, Thank you. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him oh creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly Hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Bill and Jay Shelton,
April 10, 2011.

April 27, 2011

My dear Bella,
When I met you at the doctor's office, I felt a connection with both of you. You have touched my life with the wonderful love that you shared, not just with each other but with all that you come in contact with. I feel my life is richer with the opportunity of being touched by the happiness that you and Marshall shared together.
I hope that we continue our friendship in the future, I am a phone call away when you need a friend.
Always,
Pearl Gillespie

Don & Jerry under the Banyon Tree in Maui 2011

Don Ditmore

April 27, 2011

DON'S EULOGY FOR JERRY
I was honored to know Jerry for 43 years. We were co-workers, friends, Best Men for each other, and Spiritual Brothers.

We met working in the camera department at a department store in Albuquerque. Because we shared an interest in photography we journeyed around northern New Mexico taking countless photos. It was obvious to me that Jerry was much more talented than I, and he became my mentor.

We worked together for several years until Jerry was transferred to Phoenix to manage the camera department at a new store the chain was opening.

Soon after he moved to Phoenix, he married the love of his life, Bella, and I was honored to be their Best Man.

Jerry, Bella and I shared many Christmases together, and vacations to Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde and the Gila Cliff Dwellings, to name a few.

During Christmas 1991, Bella arranged the reunion of myself with the love of my life, Rosemary.

Rose and I were married on August 11, 1996, Jerry and Bella’s 19th anniversary, and Jerry was our Best Man.

We shared many Christmases with Bella and Jerry after our marriage.

In 2004 Rosemary and I joined Bella and Jerry on Kauai, Hawaii. We were struck by the beauty and peace of the island and returned there several times together to renew our spirits.

Whenever he developed an interest in something, he dug in with both hands. For example, in the early years, Jerry cooked by opening a can and putting it on the stove to heat. Years later he developed an interest in cooking and became a gourmet chef.

His photography spanned the years from film and darkroom techniques to digital chips and Photoshop, all of which he mastered.

Thanks to years as an employee at Alliance Beverage, he developed an interest in wines and expanded his knowledge to a fine art, which he shared with all of his friends and family.

It has been an honor to know such a humble, talented, intelligent and giving person.

I will not say goodbye Jerry, just Until That Time, Brother … Until That Time!

Lou Martinez

April 27, 2011

LOU’S EULOGY FOR
JERRY GREER
April 19, 2011 (Rosary Service)

I am Lou Martínez - Bella’s youngest sister and she asked me to speak on behalf of the family today. How can we say good-bye to a man like Jerry Greer, or as many of you know him - Marshall or MJ? He may have had many names, but he had one big heart - - big enough to fill this room and then some. I have known Jerry for over 34 years and he was a very special, well-loved and respected man. He was not just my brother-in-law, he was the brother I never had. He showed such love, tenderness and patience to my beloved sister, Bella, and we will all miss him so very much. His courage during his illness is an inspiration to me and model of grace, dignity and strength in the face of adversity. He faced cancer head-on and suffered silently in excruciating pain so as not to add to our distress. Yes, those of you who know Jerry or MJ, know how much he hated medical procedures and needles. But when he found out that he had cancer, he became the model patient, often counseling other cancer patients, with his usual humor, and soft-spoken advice. “You can’t change it, but you can try to beat it with everything you have.” And that’s what Jerry did.

Jerry was no stranger to suffering or tragedy. At too early an age, he lost his mother to an aneurism and, not long after, he lost his brother to tuberculosis. Eventually he would outlive his father and his sister. Jerry served our country proudly and bravely during the Vietnam War where he was tapped to take photos and document the horrors of war. I do not know how set aside those terrible images, but he did not succumb to the evil in the world, but instead embraced life with all that he had.

Jerry, as I am sure you all know, had a marvelous sense of humor and his devilish giggle will never be forgotten. His humor was dry, witty and so clever - - but never hurtful, mean-spirited or at the expense of another. He was truly a remarkable man with incredible talent for art, photography, woodworking, building and constructing just about everything, and, last but never least, cooking. He mastered all of them on his own from just reading, listening and watching others. I can remember when Jerry’s favorite meal was a bucket of fried chicken and good glass of wine. I asked him one day how he got interested in cooking - - something that I hate to do - - and he told me that he was channel surfing one day and landed on the Food Network. As he watched one of those chefs, he decided that he would try his hand at it and he became not just a good cook, but a gourmet cook. That’s how Jerry approached everything that he did - - if it was worth doing, it was worth doing extremely well. Those of you who worked with him at Alliance Beverage know what an incredibly hard worker he was - - nothing got past MJ. The amazing thing about Jerry is that he didn’t think he did any of these things in any extraordinary way - - his humility and self-effacing manner were traits I really admired in him.

Just as Jerry excelled at all of these things, he put the same kind of energy and effort into his marriage and became a “master” husband to his “Bellita.” He treated her the way any wife deserves to be treated - - with love, patience, respect, admiration. In short, he made her happy and gave her the married life she had dreamed about and God had planned for her. When Jerry’s cancer came back, now metastacized in his liver, I asked him if there was any place he wanted to see before he died and he told me that the only place he wanted to go to was his beloved Kauai. And so, through the generosity of his wonderful employer, Bob Smith and those at Alliance Beverage, he and Bella went last September - - full of hope that he could beat this disease as he had done 4-1/2 years earlier. But it was not meant to be, and he asked Bella to take him one last time to gaze on the beauty God created on Kauai and, even though it was difficult for him, he got to take his last photos of the sunrises over the ocean and of his beloved Bellita.

To my beautiful sister, Bella, I cannot express how sorry I am that you must go on without the love of your life, but I also know that one day you will join him in Heaven where he has already picked out the perfect spot for you. No doubt, your first order of business will be to remodel it and decorate it in your own creative style! I am sure he has already discussed what wine to serve for your first meal, wondering if it will match the one Jesus created at the marriage at Cana.

The family thanks all of you for your outpouring of love and support for Jerry and Bella - - there are too many of you to name but each of you has your own special memory of your time with Jerry or MJ or Marshall. Bella would not be able to get through her loss without you and I am so grateful that she has such wonderful friends in her life. I have to, though, acknowledge the generosity and love given to Jerry from his co-workers at Alliance Beverage Distributing Company and it’s CEO, Bob Smith, who gave MJ the peace of mind he needed to let go and say good-bye. You have truly shown what it means to be a Christian company and what a marvelous place it must be to work for - - and all that generosity starts at the top.

You are not alone in your grief - - the world has lost a jewel and Heaven has gained a new saint! We come to say farewell to Jerry, Marshall, MJ - - you will not be forgotten and we thank you for enriching all of our lives, especially those of my two sons who so wanted to be here, but just could not make it. My youngest son, however, asked me to read his eulogy to his Uncle Jerry.

Daniel Peters

April 24, 2011

My Uncle Jerry was a man who always seemed to be in love with life. I don't think I ever saw him angry, or at least I never remembered it. He was a man who had a great sense of humor and never failed to share it with his loved ones. I think what will stay with me the longest are my memories of his dry wit, the way he would laugh through his nose, and the way he never seemed to take anything too seriously.

It always struck me though - here was a man who had seen the horrors of war, and yet he seemed to find more joy in life than most people. Maybe it's because he knew how dark mankind's heart could be that he chose to stay near the light. I think by focusing on the joy and wonder that earthly life has to offer, he was more willing to accept God's love and share it with the rest of us. And that, most of all, is what we should learn from his example.

We'll miss you dearly, Uncle Jerry - keep a place for us until we meet you in Paradise.

David Martinez

April 24, 2011

For all of our family connections, I must admit, my Uncle Jerry and I certainly did not share some important things in common. I cannot cook to save my life, my artistic eye pales in comparison to his, and I will never be able to wear a goatee as well he could. But one thing that I know we both agree on is this: today should be a time for celebrating his life, not his death.

I knew my Uncle Jerry for 28 years. In that time, I grew from a child into a man, but he always seemed to be the wise uncle who never aged, knew obscure things about refined wines, and had an endless supply of stories to tell. Perhaps it is fitting then, that, when contemplating how to celebrate his life, I kept returning to the lessons I took away from him during those three decades. I could speak for hours of the wisdom and insights that his advice and example have taught me, but there are a few that I continue to reflect upon when I look back on the arc of his influence in my life.

My Uncle Jerry taught me how to tell a story. Not simply how to convey a message, but how to captivate and inspire through the art of oration. Anyone who knew him can immediately recall his ability to draw people in by his storytelling ability – the deadpan tone and suppressed laughter, punctuated by perfectly timed gestures and pauses that would leave you hanging on his every word. He could be discussing the dullest aspects of trigonometry, but one could not help but be captivated by his delivery. And that was his gift – making every person he talked to feel like he had crafted a story just for them.

My Uncle Jerry taught me that the most important lessons can only be learned firsthand. The very things that frustrated me most about my uncle as a child are those that I am most grateful for today. I remember being 7 or 8 years old, scanning the titles on his bookshelf one day, when my eyes came across a book entitled “Existentialism.” When I asked Uncle Jerry what existentialism was, he slowly reached over, pulled the book out, placed it in my hands, and said simply “read the book”. As children accustomed to instant gratification are wont to do, I found his answer woefully inadequate. But the older I became, the more I realized that he wasn’t actually dodging the question: he was teaching me that, to truly understand the world around you, you must explore it for yourself.

My Uncle Jerry taught me how to make a happy relationship work. One of his greatest abilities was his capacity to bring joy to my Aunt Bella. My youth was filled with fond memories of them laughing, cooking, photographing, and smiling together; even during quarrels, my uncle had the transcendent ability to “disagree without being disagreeable.” The current of respect and admiration that flowed between the two of them never ran dry. In fact, as he would teach me, you can never demonstrate that respect enough to a woman. When I visited my Uncle Jerry two years ago with my girlfriend at the time, he immediately asked to photograph us in the patio, pausing frequently to tell my girlfriend how beautiful and photogenic she was. Such kind comments earned me a hard pinch to the side and a lecture from my girlfriend who, clearly moved by my Uncle Jerry’s words, took great pleasure in reminding me for the duration of the trip that her boyfriend could learn a thing or two from his Uncle Jerry about how to make a woman feel special.

My Uncle Jerry taught me to take time to reflect on my life choices. I remember before the first time I moved overseas, he pulled me aside for a talk. For as much as he loved to regale me with stories and teach me about the world, he rarely gave me strongly worded advice. But I remember him asking me to think hard about where I would serve, and how I would deal with the difficult things I might see abroad. He shared some of his experiences from Vietnam with me, things I had never heard him discuss. He warned me that I would see difficulty and be asked to do things that would challenge my moral code. It wasn’t exactly the kind of bon voyage that I was hoping to get. But as I went out into the world and faced the realities he spoke of, I returned again and again to his words of wisdom. My uncle had seen things that haunted him for years, and they could not have been easy to talk about. Thanks to his guidance, I found the courage to face my own challenges, knowing that I was not alone on the path.

My Uncle Jerry taught me to see beauty in the world around me. There is a black and white drawing of a man with a horse above the sofa in my aunt and uncle’s home. As a child, my Uncle Jerry found my brother and I staring at it one evening, and urged us to look closely at the horse. Look again, he said. We did, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. He explained that the artist had originally intended the man and horse to be in different positions, and had only drawn the horse over the original sketch of the man. All of a sudden, we began to make out the details of the man through the horse, amazed that we had not noticed it before. My Uncle Jerry would later teach us how to develop film in dark room, to find angles of light and shadow in the most commonplace locations, and to produce beautiful photographs using imagination. He bought me my first digital camera – which I use to this day – and it has traveled the world, capturing my life’s most important moments. The moments are mine, but the images are the handiwork of my Uncle Jerry’s artistic genius.

My Uncle Jerry taught me that, when all is said and done, the most important thing of all is to learn to love. A year and a half ago, when I was going through a very difficult experience with someone I cared for, I sought my Uncle Jerry’s advice. Desperate and frustrated, I brought an issue to him that I was unsure he would know how to handle. But, as he had done so many times before, he revealed unknown depths of insight and understanding. What we shared in that conversation is something I will forever treasure. It bonded me to my uncle more closely than I ever though possible. And when it was over, my Uncle Jerry simply put his hand on my shoulder and told me that it was love that had brought him through the most difficult moments in his life, and it would be love that would carry me through my own.

In Jerusalem recently, I came across a quote by Rashi, the great Jewish Talmud scholar, that embodies so much of what my Uncle Jerry taught me: “Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you.” He never said it, but this was how my Uncle Jerry lived his life, taking both the best and the worst that the world threw at him, and receiving it with a kind of dignified grace that reminded us that life marches on, that even the best things must come to an end, but that each one of us – at every moment in our lives – can find beauty in the fabric of life around us and never stop sharing that beauty with the ones that we love. That is my Uncle Jerry’s legacy; it is the monument he leaves behind. May it continue to live on in each of us!
Your nephew David Martinez

Gina Herberg

April 20, 2011

Bella - my deep condolences to you and your family. Our prayers are with each of you.

MJ - I think of you every day working in my kitchen You were such an inspiration to get in there to try new and wonderful ideas. You were a great mentor and a wonderful friend. I thank god for adding you to my life. Always so possitive and full of love. Your soul, fantastic stories and memories will always be present. Thank you so much for sharing your life with all of us. We are truly blessed!

Kimmie Nguyen

April 20, 2011

Bella,
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel about MJ’s death. We are here to support you in your grieving process. With sincere sympathy, Kimmie, Phu, Annie & Aimy

David Martinez

April 20, 2011

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

This was the example that you set for the rest of us, receiving all things with a simple grace and strength of character. Ever since your cat helped me learn how to walk, I learned about the world under your guidance. For your endless devotion to my Aunt Bella, for your fascinating stories, for your ability to find beauty in all things, for your spirit of perpetual self-improvement, and, most importantly, for teaching me how to live a life of purpose and love, I will always be grateful.

We love you, Uncle Jerry, and each of our lives is marked by your amazing influence in them. Rest in the peace that the legacy you leave behind is a world better off because we knew you.

Que descanse en paz, Tio

Lillie Llamas

April 19, 2011

Bella my deep condolences to you and family my prayers are with you...

My dear MJ! I will miss you so very much even thou I only knew you for three short years at ABDC you won my heart.You were a great mentor & a friend to me and I looked up to you. All I learned from you I will never forget! I thank god for given me the opportunity to have meet a great person like you. Always so possitive and full of love. Oh! MJ I know your body is physically not here with us anymore but your soul, and memories will always be present in our mind and in our hearts. You always had faith in me I will always cherish that. Funny, a good cook, a philosopher, a great photographer and many other things that made you a great man that we will always LOVE!

R.I.P Marshall Jerome (MJ) Greer

Cara & Scott Pilgreen

April 19, 2011

Uncle Jerry was such a gentle, gracious and loving person. He always treated my sweet Aunt Bella with love and dignity. He was also very talented and some of my most precious memories were captured through his lens...a college road trip with my friends, my wedding, my 10th anniversary, many family gatherings, and the smiles of my children. He also got me through the cooking of my first Thanksgiving turkey. What could have been a very stressful situation was turned into one of the best Thanksgivings ever because he made it okay that the turkey wasn't done on time. The end result wasn't the goal. An enjoyable, laughter-filled journey was the example he set not only for that Thanksgiving but through his life. We are blessed to have known him. And I'm thankful that my husband and children got to know him.
To Aunt Bella, my heart and prayers are with you. You are amazing and I love you!
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:2-4

Connie Alexander

April 19, 2011

Bella
MJ, what can I say that others have not already written about you?
You were a friend for sure. I worked with you all the years you were at Alliance and I know every morning when I get my coffee you will not be here. I will still think of you each morning when I fix my coffee. You were most often in the kitchen at the same time carefully sprinkling just ever so small amount of sugar in your hand and then into your coffee. Such a small thing but you were carefully measuring and inserting your humor in our conversation as well.
Now you are in God's hands.
You will be missed!

Chris Tomondi

April 19, 2011

I met Jerry through Bella. Bella and I became fast friends (naturally) when I started working at Allied Signal 20+ years ago. The three of us had a common passion for art and love of the American west especially New Mexico. The both introduced me to that Land of Enchantment! Jerry encouraged me quite a bit with my artistic endeavors even if they became a bit infrequent. One of my personal bests was a result of a photo he took of a colorful leaf floating on the waters of Oak Creek. He was also quite an exceptional artist himself (if you've ever seen his pencil portraits!). We would rendez-vous for Scottsdale's Thursday night art walks admiring the latest of the Cowboy Artists and others each season. Over the years I saw his artistic passion reignite with his photography; in particular his one obsession over capturing the perfect lighting on a lone tree in the Gila Wilderness! He also had a hidden talent for cooking - what a renaissance man! He was quite the art mentor and friend. I will miss him dearly but still always think of him whenever I see one of his works or any western art piece. Farewell friend and rest in peace.

April 19, 2011

Dear Bella, How blessed you were to have had 34 years of a happy marriage. Jerry was the perfect match for you. I cherish his sense of humor, his peaceful nature and his loving care for you. He will always be near you. Love, Alicia

Rosann Galarza

April 19, 2011

I worked with MJ here at Alliance and was honored to know him. He always made me laugh. I will miss him!

Patricia Chamberlain

April 19, 2011

Bella,

MJ came into my life with the merger of mine and his company in 1999. Always with the smile and good morning. He and you Bella became very special folks in my life. It has and is my honor to know the two of you.

Marshall Jerome Greer, however choclate should have been his middle name. A talented man at so very many endeavors. After I retired from Alliance MJ would send me emails with pictures of his culinary creations. No food just the pictures.

May you know that he is with his father and out of the realm of pain.

God Bless and keep you safe. Remember I am only a call away.

Bella Greer

April 19, 2011

To my loving husband Jerry ~

You honored me when you chose ME to be your wife. You brought such a bright light into my life with you unending love, patience and guidance. I blossomed in your presence and grew beyond measure. You brought art and such beauty into my life and I will carry that within myself for the rest of MY life. You taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to and that I could do it perfectly in God’s eyes. You showed me how to feel and express real faith and trust in God. Through you I was brought closer to Our Lord and you encouraged me to do His work… be His hands, His eyes, His ears. You helped and encouraged me to be Christ’s disciple. I know you will watch over me and continue to guide me in all that I do. Even in death you were my teacher. You make me want to be a better person.
Thank you my love for the MOST amazing life. It was truly beautiful.
Bella Martinez-Greer

Margaret Montoya

April 19, 2011

Bella, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Yesterday would have been my dad's birthday. I am sure he is waiting for Jerry somewhere beyond and "looking down" on you in these difficult days. May Jerry rest in peace and may you find solace in family and in the memories you and Jerry constructed out of your loving care for each other. Margie and Charles, ABQ

Mary Ellen Fresquez

April 19, 2011

Bella,

We will always remember Jerry as your "perfect" companion. You completed each other, and it was obvious to anyone who was in your company.

We know that he is in heaven making the angels laugh with his dry sense of humor. In my mind, I can see him visiting with his brother-in-law and my dad, Ricardo -- bringing him up to speed on everything. They so enjoyed each other's company.

If there is anything that we can do for you, I hope that you will call us. We're not far away.

Our love and condolences,

John and Mari

Angela Bonner

April 18, 2011

While I was working at Alliance I had the privilege to get acquainted with a great man. MJ always had something to say to start my morning with a smile. I enjoyed his company, his stories and the parting words of wisdom when I left Alliance.

To Bella, I met you when MJ was in the hospital a few years ago and my intentions were to see MJ, but circumstances had me meet you. When I left the hospital that day, I was amazed by your strength and the genuine love you have for MJ. I pray peace and comfort over you and your family during this difficult time.

Gina Latour

April 18, 2011

Bella,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you shared with your husband. You now have the best Guardian Angel to look over you.

Love,

Gina and Family

Becky Reed

April 18, 2011

Bella,

I feel very blessed to have had Jerry as a brother-in-law! He added so much to our family -- love, kindness, humor, photography lessons, cooking lessons, recipes, an appreciation for good wine. But, most important of all, he taught us all how to live and how to die. I never heard Jerry say anything unkind about anyone or utter a complaint while he was fighting the cancer. He never even moaned once when we knew he was in pain or discomfort; instead, he helped us to cope with his situation by minimizing and telling us he was all right.

Jerry was a light to everyone he met and we are better for having known him and loved him.

Everything Jerry did, he did well and he shared his knowledge and enthusiasm generously. Jerry, I thank you for being a most loving husband to my sister, Bella. You will continue to be the wind beneath her wings for the rest of her life! We will miss you so much!

Love,
Becky

Margaret Montoya

April 18, 2011

Bella

Lou Martinez

April 18, 2011

I have known Jerry Greer for 34 years and he was a very special, well-loved and respected man. He was not just my brother-in-law, he was the brother I never had. He showed such love, tenderness and patience to my beautiful sister, Bella, and we will all miss him so very much. His courage and determination during this terrible illness is an inspiration and model of grace, dignity and stoicism. He faced cancer head-on and suffered silently in excruciating pain so as not to worry any of us.

Jerry had a marvelous sense of humor and his devilish giggle will never be forgotten. His humor was dry, witty and clever - but never hurtful or mean-spirited. He was truly a remarkable man with incredible talent for art, photography, woodworking, building, constructing and cooking - - he mastered all of them on his own from just reading, listening and watching others. His humility in these areas was another strength - he didn't think he was good at any of them but, in fact, he was a master of all of them!

To my beautiful sister, Bella, I cannot express how sorry I am that you must go on without the love of your life. but I also know that one day you will join him in Heaven, where he has already picked the perfect spot for you and already chosen the perfect wine to go with your first gourmet meal. You are not alone in your grief - - the world has lost a jewel and Heaven has gained a new saint!

I say farewell to you, Jerry, and thank you for enriching all of our lives, especially the lives of my two sons, who admired and loved you for the great man and uncle that you were. Rest in peace, my Brother. I love you!

Nataly Rivera

April 18, 2011

Inspiring me to do so much with my life, I owe so much of my aspirations to him. His passion and love is something I can never forget. I will always be thankful for the moments we got to share and the wisdom he passed on to me. I will follow the dreams that would have never blossomed if I had not known him. Since I was a baby, I know you always had a way of making me smile and your laughter will stay with me forever. Thank you for being such a great friend to me and my family. We will miss you ever so much. We love you, Jerry.

Joanie Norton

April 18, 2011

My friend and mentor, I will miss you dearly. Thank you for your legacy, your friendship your life and your heart.

B B

April 18, 2011

MJ was always the entertainer, always knew how to make me smile when I was having a rough day, always greeted me in the mornings and said a farewell at the end of the day. MJ will truly be missed and was such a great inspiration, I only hope I can live up to his expectations.

Glenda B-Villa

April 18, 2011

I meet Mr. Greer 11 years ago when my dear friend Bella Invited me and my little sister for dinner, Mr. Greer did not treat us as guest but as part of his family, I admired the way he talked and treated Bella...it was amaizing to see how sweet and tender and kind he spoke to her....He even took a picture of my sister and I...I will treassure it forever.

My fwend Bella, my deepest condolenses,
I love ya!

Terii Cano

April 18, 2011

Bella, my deepest condolences for your loss.

MJ was a wonderful person to have worked with. He will truly be missed as a team player.

Rest in peace my friend...I will miss your sense of humor and your friendship.

Terii Cano

Tim Hughes

April 18, 2011

I met MJ in 1994 while working at Arizona Beverage and continued the enjoyment of working with him until this last December. He showed me many things but most of all I will remember him for being smart/quick,kind to all and very funny.

Rest in Peace my friend keep cooking with beer and may your heart live inside all of us forever.

Cheers

Tim Hughes

Shonda Williams

April 18, 2011

I had known MJ for 8 years. He will always have a special place in my heart. Sweet, sweet man.

Bella, I am so sorry for your loss. MJ was one of my favorite people at Alliance. I always looked forward to his smile and sense of humor when I visited. I also enjoyed his artwork. What an outstanding individual!

Love you, MJ.

Alan Davis

April 17, 2011

I first met MJ while we worked together at Alliance. We became friends there and we continued our friendship long after I left the company. He was a fellow cook and a mentor to my teenage son in the realm of photography. We enjoyed a dry sense of humor the whole time, much to the disdain of some. Above and beyond all else, I will remember MJ as someone that I could always talk to as an equal and a friend.

Happy trails!

You will be missed by many.

To Bella, you have my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband and for that matter a very wonderful man.

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