James E. Greiter, 62, of Bainbridge Island, died on June 27 at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton.

He was born on Jan. 23, 1947 in Aurora, Ill., the son of Edward and Francis (Webber) Greiter. He attended school in Batavia, Ill., and served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1967.

On May 20, 1977, Jim married his best friend and partner, Jennie (Burns) Greiter. Together, they ventured to Boise, Idaho, where they lived for 10 years and raised their son, Jimmy. They then found a home on Bainbridge and lived here for the last 22 years.

He was well-respected and dearly loved at Amtrak, from which he retired after 37 years. At both his job and in his personal life, he was a man of strong character and integrity. The people he met and the friends he made at the railroad were a second family for him.

He was outgoing and charming, a jokester who lived life on his own terms and loved to have a good time. He was an avid and competitive bowler and recently began experimenting with day-trading stocks in his spare time. Most importantly, he surrounded himself with friends and touched many lives.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jennie (Burns) Greiter; his son, Jim Greiter Jr. of Lansing, Mich.; his two granddaughters, Shai-Linn Greiter and Chantal Shepherd; his brothers, Tom (Jackie) Greiter and Tim Greiter, both of Batavia; his stepbrothers Jeff (Melanie) Nelson of Keller, Texas and Bruce (Suzanne) Nelson of Rochester Hills, Mich.; his brothers-in-law Robbie (Annie) Burns of Midway, Penn., Tom (Gayle) Burns of Buckhorn, Ky., and Dave (Darlene) Cox of Biglerville, Penn; a mother-in-law who is like a mother to him, Mum Burns; his former wife, Kathy Bond, of Avilla, Ind.; and a wealth of valued friends who meant the world to him.

The Mass of Christian Burial took place on July 2 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church followed by interment at Port Blakely Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a favorite charity.

An online guest book is at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.