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Friday night I got some of very sad news, the senior director of Camp Greystone, Jim Miller III (or Jimdaddy as he is known in the Greystone world) passed away unexpectedly while eating dinner with his wife, Libby. 
Anyone that has read this blog for some time knows how much I LOVE Camp Greystone! I was fortunate enough to attend camp for eleven summers and they were eleven incredible, life changing summers that I will never forget. They were made so special because of the Miller family. Camp Greystone has always been a wonderful camp, but it was Jimdaddy and his wife Libby who felt called by God to make their summer camp a Christian summer camp years ago. While enjoying dinner at Cafe Pacific in Dallas a few years ago Jimdaddy filled me in on this story. Today, you would never guess that a camp with a 2+ year wait list would have gone through such hard times when they made this Godly decision. However, Jimdaddy and Libby answered their calling and created one of the most amazing places on earth. From the moment mother and I walked in to the Memphis Racquet club twenty years ago and first met Jimdaddy and got the lowdown on Greystone they have held special places in our hearts.
Jimdaddy encouraged every single camper to have a great day every day of the year no matter what challenges they presented at his morning breakfast club; "it's going to be a GREAT day and I feel TERRIFIC" was his slogan! He was truly one of the most positive and inspiring people I have ever come to know and I feel blessed to have come so close to him over the past five years. Jimdaddy always wore a smile and his energy was contagious. He was such an established man a true gentleman who touched the lives of more people than he will ever know. He played football at Kentucky, he served our country in time of war and he even ran for political office. However, above all else Jimdaddy was a man of God. Today, my heart will be in the mountains of North Carolina...Jimdaddy you were simply the best!!
"As you travel through life whatever may be your goal, keep you eye on the doughnut and not on the hole."
26 comments:
i felt the same way about my camp director and when passed it was like losing a family member. You are in my prayers and thoughts as well as Jimdaddy's family.
Jimdaddy was indeed a truly incredible gentleman. He will be greatly missed by all of us. My heart aches to be there at 2pm today.
I cant wait for Mini K to attend GS!
I has 8 wonderful summers at camp. Camp has been one of the most positive experiences in my life. I think everyone should go to summer camp! I am sorry for your loss.
He sounds like a wonderful man who accomplished many wonderful things in his life...what a blessing to so many.
Very sad to lose such an amazing man too early! We must remember that his time here was a gift! Sorry for your loss.
Sending so much positive energy and prayers your way. I hope you are feeling better, and remember that you won't ever forget your wonderful memories with Jimdaddy and your fellow Greystone Girls!
Sounds like the world lost an incredible man.
What a touching tribute post. Jimdaddy seems like a wonderful and rare man. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
JD sounded like a truly inspiring, incredibly man. A great loss for you and obviously so many. I am very sorry.
Wow!What a wonderful man. He must have touched many lives for the good...you are a fine example...
Jennifer aka Gigi
I am so sorry....What a beautiful tribute you wrote.My prayers are with you and his family.
HFG, what a sweet post about Jim Daddy... I got the email too. Thank you for saying such wonderful words about him. xxx
My son goes to Rockmont and knows all about Greystone. I am so sorry for his family - and all of the hearts of the girls he touched at Greystone.
What a beautiful testament for a great friend. And what a blessing to have gotten to know a great person for many years. I know sometimes just one conversation can impact me a lot, so I'm sure Jimdaddy's legacy of fun and kindess will live on!!
What a sweet post. I am getting ready to google it so I can read more about this. How fortunate you are to have known such a man. xoxo
I'm sorry for your loss.
Isn't it wonderful that his energy will live on in the people he inspired? Some people truly are instruments of God. I'll be praying for his family.
My mom went to Greystone as well and she was just telling me how sad she was as well to hear he died!! What a coincidence!!
Thank you for sharing the story of such a wonderful man. It sounds like he inspired many!
Jim Daddy was such a sweet man - I remember meeting him while picking up my sister from Greystone - he really made those summer camp experiences memorable for some of my closest friends.
i saw the news from a greystone pal on facebook a few days ago. i will still say sometimes when i know i have a tough day ahead "its going to be a great day! and i feel terrific!"
Oh, I went to Kanuga and know all about Greystone. It is a special place! Camp will always hold so many memories for me! What a blessing Jimdaddy has been to so many.
I am so sorry for your loss. I went to summer camp growing up & know how the owners/directors and staff become like family. You are in my thoughts & prayers.
Lake Summitt weeps, but summer will come, and the Greystone experience will bless others for summers to come.
I read another blog that loved this man like you do. I grew up (and continue to attend and support) a christian summer camp in the NC mountains, so I know exactly how you feel. May God bless their family and yours.
Reagan and her friend Tanner are so psyched to go to junior camp. We watch that darned video every day. She was so excited to meet Jimdaddy...I've had to explain his passing and she's devastated. What an amazing and accomplished man.
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