OBITUARY: James Boody Massie

Massie, James Boody age 92 of Woodland, died peacefully at home Friday, March 4, 2011.

Preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Chloe Lochridge Massie.

He is survived by his daughter Lynn Massie Oehler and her husband, Ben; his son John R. Massie and his wife, Betsy; seven grandchildren, Sara Oehler King and her husband, Brad; Cornelia and Susan Oehler; Robertson, Annie, Laura, and Marc Massie; and one great-grandchild, Ella Grace King.

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sept 1, 1918, Jim grew up in Minneapolis, graduated from The Blake School and Harvard University, and returned to the Twin Cities in 1941 to work for Northrup King & Company as a clerk in its garden seed department.

In 1963 he was elected President of the company, and in the interim years worked in nearly every aspect of sales. Under Jim’s leadership, Northrup King grew and prospered. He brought it from being a privately held company to a publicly held company in 1968, and in 1976 oversaw the sale of Northrup King to the Swiss agricultural chemicals firm, Sandoz.

In addition to his love of the seed business, Jim was deeply committed to Rotary. He was the second longest-term member in the club’s 102-year history. In 2006, Jim received the Marty Baskerville Philanthropy Award from the Minneapolis Rotary Foundation. Jim had many other civic and business interests as well, including the YMCA, The Blake School, Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, The United Way, Third Northwestern Bank, and the US Feed Grains Council.

Among the clubs he most enjoyed are The Minikahda Club, Woodhill Country Club, The Minneapolis Club, and Desert Forest in Carefree, AZ.

Jim was a meticulous caretaker of his yard and garden. He enjoyed boating, tennis, golf, and paddle tennis, was an avid hunter, fisherman, and skier, and a lover of games of all types. Jim will be deeply missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Memorial Service Saturday, April 23, 2 pm at Lakewood Chapel. Reception to follow at The Minikahda Club.

Memorials preferred to the Minneapolis Rotary Foundation, 701 4th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415, or The Blake School, SDS 12-2577, PO Box 86, Minneapolis, MN 55486-2577.

David Lee Funeral Home
Wayzata 952-473-5577
http://www.davidleefuneralhome.com