Dr. Michael William Grier

September 4, 1943 ~ October 12, 2016
Resided in:
Leicester, NC
Dr. Michael William Grier, 73, went to be with his Lord on October 12, 2016. He suffered a stroke in January of this year. He was born to Marie Helen Jahn on September 4, 1943 in Corona, California. He is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Chris, his first real love and he hers. He often told Chris that he felt his life began when he met her. His beloved and admired five children are Nichole and her husband, Dan; Arik and his wife, Georgia; Jeanine and her husband, Dave; Aaron and his wife, Anne; and Renee. His adored grandchildren who could make him smile bigger than anyone are Addiebelle, Caleb, Cyril and Cana. He is also survived by numerous cousins and other family members whom he loved dearly.
Mike's children were his priority and he spent the majority of his off-time with them. He loved children and he loved being a Dad. He was patiently available and open-minded, always supportive and encouraging. Mike delighted in creating magic for his family, including designing and building their one-of-a-kind childhood Christmas toys, catching and racing toads after barn chores were done, and sharing his life-long love for animals. Somehow Mike brought just about every type of animal into our family at one point or another, bunnies, homing pigeons, chickens, horses, llamas, miniature donkeys, even a turtle who roamed the house for a while and a feisty goose who bit him from behind one day, which amused Mike to no end. He surprised Chris with her wedding dress and a rented tux for him on the morning of their 25th anniversary and they privately renewed their wedding vows in a little church at the beach. They renewed their vows again at home six weeks prior to his passing, in front of their priest. Mike was told to just nod his head when his turn came and Chris told him it better be a yes. He gifted her with a very loud and excited "I do".
His prayer for his children was not that they would not have to face adversity but that they would make it through adversity. His take on his wife not being perfect was that if either of them had been perfect, they never would have truly been married. Mike would be the first to say he was not perfect but he tried to do the best he could. He also believed that life was not meant to be easy.
As the only child of a single-working mother facing her own challenges, his early life began with a perspective on adversity. He started working at the age of ten, digging ditches for plumbing lines and doing whatever his uncle, a plumber, had for him to do. At the end of his senior year of high school his chemistry teacher asked each student in the class to tell what they wanted to be. When Mike answered that he wanted to be a doctor the teacher laughed and said that with his grades he would never get into college. He did his first two years of college at Chaffey Junior College, going to school full-time while also working full-time as an orderly in a psychiatric unit. The summers in between, he worked eighty hours a week at this job. During these years his mom was unable to work and he helped support her and even surprised her with buying her a piano.
He was accepted to the University of California at Berkeley with scholarships and loans awarded to him. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was accepted to The University of Southern California School of Medicine. At the end of his third year of medical school he was chosen to do a fellowship with Sheila Sherlock, author of the definitive textbook on liver disease and the world's authority on the disease at the time, at The Royal Free Hospital in London. This was a meaningful fellowship and she stayed in contact with Mike and Chris for a number of years after.
Mike was accepted into the first class of interns at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota where he completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. While there he started a weekend emergency room moonlighting service to surrounding hospitals and he found other trainees who also needed to start paying back medical school loans to help cover weekends.
Before leaving medical school he signed up for the Berry Plan, committing to military service if allowed to complete his medical training. Upon the completion of his residencies he proudly served in the US Air Force as Chief of Internal Medicine at Carswell Air Force Base in Ft. Worth, Texas. He valued his military experience as one of his best experiences in life as it gave him great appreciation for all those who serve. While in Texas, Chris got Mike into jumping horses. This was the start of the family farm. Mike saw a pony being mistreated, a thought he could not stand. He asked what he could offer for the pony and for $25 "Candy" joined our family, saddle and all, and this was the pony that all five Grier children, and numerous other children, learned to ride on over the next 20 years.
Mike came to Asheville at the end of 1975 as a Gastroenterologist for Asheville Internal Medicine. With their understanding and blessing, before his year was up he went out on his own to practice medicine. He founded Asheville Gastroenterology Associates (AGA), working eighteen months without a day off before adding his first partner. Later, he worked long and hard to establish the first outpatient endoscopy center in the state. He did it for his patients. They could have their procedures sooner, more efficiently and cheaper. He went into medicine purely to help people.
Patients always came first in his practice of medicine. He loved and cared about them. When their problems were serious he wanted to make sure that all parts of their life were in good shape, not solely their physical needs. He prayed with them if that's want they wanted and needed. He was a great diagnostician who could think outside the box and would put himself out there to get patients the care he knew each and every one deserved. One patient brought in a picture of her many grandchildren that she would never have known if it wasn't for his foresight in asking Mayo Clinic to consider her, despite her not fitting the criteria.
Employees were also a priority for Mike. He appreciated, valued, dearly loved and cared about the employees of AGA. They were an integral part of his team. He openly acknowledged his need for them and their importance in caring for patients. Of his partners he said, "They are the siblings I never had and I need to do everything I can to take care of them in the practice." His focus in his life was always on what was honest, responsible and right, first and foremost for his patients and also for employees. A former patient said, "He was never clinical, he would just talk to you. And he could talk! I really trusted him." Three years after he retired an employee wrote to him, "We remember what a man of honesty and integrity you are and how you always made your employees feel valued." A partner wrote, "Mike is an amazing person. Among many outstanding traits include determination, resolve, loyalty, courage, preparedness and being a very spiritual person. He is an exceptional person." He was a living testament, a visionary and a pillar of the medical community.
His sense of responsibility to those placed in his life was paramount, whether it be family, patients, employees, partners, or friends. Whatever he did he was always thinking of others. He was generous with his time, didn't hold grudges and always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.
Outside of work he was always Mike, the person, not the physician. He greatly valued and validated every line of honest work. He was interested in just about everything and was a jack of all trades. No work or job was beneath him and there wasn't much he would not try his hand at. He did nearly all the work needing to be done at home and for his projects. He designed, built, plumbed, did electrical work, masonry, fencing, tractor work, landscaping, worked on old cars, vet work, training and breeding horses and llamas, and even learned to do his daughters' hair into buns for horse shows. One Christmas he designed and built wooden doll beds and car racetracks that he brought to Catholic Social Services (CSS) to be given to children in need for Christmas. Mike and Chris were blessed to have foster children and single pregnant mothers live with the family at different points, bringing a depth and beauty to everyones lives. He was also an Odyssey of the Mind and History Day coach taking teams to nationals.
Before he retired from medicine he designed, helped to build and managed an event center, Yesterday Spaces, built with lumber from the farm. During retirement, he thoroughly enjoyed this venture, as the main bookings were weddings, a happy time in people's lives.
Mike believed in God and it was to God that he turned to in life. Mike and his wife were lifelong Catholics and members of St. Barnabas. He had led the high school youth group there, had been active in Crusillo and had done volunteer carpentry work for CSS. He felt gratitude deeply and knew that all good things in life were undeserved blessings from God. One of his children said that she will always carry with her the way Dad just talked to God like He was sitting right there in the car while Dad drove them to school in the morning. Prayer was deeply personal and open down-to-earth talking with God throughout Dad's life.
His stroke in January left him unable to communicate as well as he wanted to, though he learned to say a lot with facial expressions. The skill of communication was one which he strongly believed in. One of his children told him that it was okay if he couldn't speak as there wasn't anything left that he needed to say. "You said it all to me with how you lived your life."
The stroke also left him paralyzed on his dominant right side. He was a natural at learning to use his left hand and he was learning to walk short distances with a hemi walker by the time he came home to the farm in June of this year. He worked exceedingly hard to overcome his disabilities and as always, gave all that he could. Throughout, he never complained and always tried to help in his care, anticipating what was needed of him to do. His loving manner and great sense of humor made it a privilege and a joy to care for him. He enjoyed every genre of music and would keep time with his head, hand, or foot, or he would be caught mouthing the words, beboping away. His life had prepared him well for the last walk asked of him. He triumphed through this time.
The family is grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love, countless prayers and cards filled with words of encouragement. We wish to thank all the wonderful doctors, nurses, therapists, aides and others who treated and cared for our husband and dad at Mission Hospital, Care Partners Rehab, Pisgah Manor Rehab, Care Partners Home Health and Care Partners Home Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Care Partners Foundation.
The funeral will be held at The Basilica of St. Lawrence in downtown Asheville on Wednesday, October 19 at 2PM. A private burial will follow with the family welcoming everyone back to a reception at Yesterday Spaces, 305 Sluder Branch Rd. in Leicester from 5PM to 8PM.
It is with much sorrow that we see the passing of Mike….He will always be remembered as a Super fellow!….Hugs to the family!
Our prayers are with you and the family!
As a patient of Dr. Grier’s I always found him to be kind and compassionate. I will never forget during an extended hospital stay, him coming into my hospital room late one evening and just sitting and talking with me and my husband about going fishing. He never seemed rushed and would always take the time to really get to know you as a person, not just a patient. He was not only a wonderful doctor, but a wonderful person.
My thoughts and prayers for his family.
I was saddened to here of Dr. Grier’s passing but his obituary certainly did not exaggerate. He was the kindest and most caring person I ever had the pleasure to work with. While working at AGA he always made you feel valued. Anyone that knew him would have done anything for him because he made you feel like family and made any job you did feel so important. The world needs more people like Dr. Grier. My deepest sympathy to his family as anyone of his caliber will be sorely missed.
I started working as a nurse @ St. Joe’s the year after Dr.Grier came to Asheville. I was so impressed with his open, caring attitude and medical expertise that I chose him as my doctor. I was saddened when I heard that he had retired but was glad that he had some time to enjoy with his family. May God give you His wisdom and strength for this time and in the days to come.
I consider Dr. Grier to be one of the most inspiring and influential people in my life. I remember like yesterday, the day he hired me in 2000. I had just started my career as a nurse, and sitting back in his chair, at his roll top desk, he decided to give me a chance. I valued the time we had to work together in the endoscopy rooms and all the advice he would offer me. As I advanced my career, he was always supportive. He was a man that was always fair, kind and generous to his employees. He treated us like family. His legacy at AGA will never be forgotten or surpassed. Because of his influence and the chance he gave me, I have moved on to a very blessed career.
My love and prayers go out to the Grier family. You were so blessed with this incredible man, and I know he will be greatly missed. There were many days you missed him because he was so busy at work. So thank you for sharing him, because he made such a difference in our lives.
Mike was a dream maker. While making the dreams of others come true, he achieved his own. Knowing him was inspirational. Blessing to his dear family.
Words can not describe how much I will miss Dr.Grier, I got the pleasure to work for him since 1999 until he retired, It was a honor to meet such a man. He was hard working, compassionate, caring and he cared about his employees, family and patient. We were all family. Working at the south office we could talk more when it was slow he was an amazing man. A piller in the community, that others looked up to and respected. A blessing to know have know and work for a wonderful man, and love him for the difference he did in our lives. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us. The family is in our prayers. He will truly be missed by each one of us. Sandra Parker
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family .
Dr. Grier was a wonderful Dr. and the most special person, I was a patient of his for many years, he was always there for his patients in a very special way. I will never forget all that he did for me, he and God brought me through alot. I love and appreciate him for always being there. Love and miss him, so blessed that have known such a special person. Jill Ponder
Our sincerest condolences to the Grier family. Gabriele,Martin,Noelle,Natalie and Corinna.
Dr. Grier. A man of integrity. It was a privilege to work for him at AGA for 16 years. There are not enough words to describe what he means to me. He will certainly never be replaced. It was his kind heart, grit and hard work, compassion and dedication as CEO that made AGA and The Endoscopy Center a center of excellence and an excellent place to work. He was one of the best men I have ever known. ❤️MWG.
Praying for Chris and the family.
I had the honor and privilege to work with Dr Grier from 1982 until his retirement. None of his employees would have ever had the opportunity to be a part of such a great practice if it weren’t for him. It was truly his dream, which he would talk on and on about until the endoscopy center came to fruition. He treated us all like family and worried about each one of us as an individual. He shared in our children being born(and growing up), in our everyday joys and sorrows, and gave advice just like a father would. After retirement, he went on to his next dream of making other people’s dreams come true when he opened Yesterday Spaces, and was so happy to have all of us come out to see the great things that he had accomplished. As everyone could see, he was in his little bit of heaven there riding around on the tractor, four wheeler or just talking to people who were looking for a beautiful spot for their big event. My heart is broken knowing that he is gone, but he has left such a legacy behind for his family and for those of us who were lucky enough to have shared a little piece of his life here on earth.
God Speed to you Dr Grier, and I hope you know how much you meant to so many people.
Sarah Blankenship
My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Grier’s family as they move through the upcoming days. I remember his efforts at Mission and AGA. Staff and patients alike were blessed by his caring attitude. May God shower His love, grace and mercy on all of you.
Oh what a beautiful article on Dr. Grier I can’t say what a loss for so many. I worked with Dr. Grier for 13 years and also had the pleasure of working one on one with him at satellite offices. He told me many stories of his life and I would just be amazed. The birth of his grandbaby was the thrill of his life. Oh my he couldn’t talk about it without tears. He had told me about his growing up and it was just as you wrote it in the article. I could listen to him all day. He was a great doctor but also a great friend to me. He would explain things that I did not understand, and just be so kind to me, not just me but to everyone. He loved his event center and how he would talk about it to me. What a beautiful place and to have all of us from AGA come for events and drive us on the tractor. That was just awesome.
He will never be forgotten he will live on in so many hearts. Mine especially, you meet a lot of people in our walks of life but he certainly made a special place in my heart. Words cannot express how sad I am for your loss. Dr. Grier was just a wonderful person and I am so thankful and grateful that I got to work with him one on one and to hear stories and watch him work he just loved everyone, but he would tell you like it was if he had too.lol But I do know for sure all you guys were a awesome family. Thank all of you for the kindness you showed all of at different times as well. I know he is in heaven walking and talking with the lord. Such a loss and I am so sorry. May God cover each of you with peace and angles encamp around each and everyone of you.
Thank-you for writing this detailed obituary so we could learn the deepness of Mike’s life. I knew him as a dedicated father and OM coach of the 4th grade children I taught (just missing Nichole); Arik, Jeanine, Aaron and Renee. What a great team Mike and Chris made. He gave us and enthusiastic tour of Yesterday’s Spaces when he had just planted the blueberry field apologizing that they wouldn’t need to pick at Cloud 9 Farm anymore! If I didn’t know he was a Dr. I’d say that the farm was his life’s passion. The world is a better place because of Mike. My sympathies to the family.
So sorry to hear about Dr. Grier. I barely knew him, but what a life he lived! He was a great person and left an incredible legacy. I wish I’d gotten the chance to get to know him better.
Dr. Grier found my dad’s cancer in 1976. It took a long time to determine where the problem was; however Dr. Grier was determined to find the cause of dad’s problem and he did. Then later I became a patient of Dr. Grier and he was a very caring and compassionate man. Thanking God for giving Dr Grier and others at AGA the knowledge to practice in their specific field of medicine.
I pray God will give you the strength that only HE can give and a peace to you and your family that passeth all understanding.
Betty Ponder
Chris, Nichole,Arik,Jeanine,Aaron and Renee, so sorry to hear able your dad, Wonderful obituary that you all had written. A lot of people from Fairview were patients of his. God bless you all. Love to all of you
This man will be missed by so many. However, no one near as much as his wonderful family. I thoroughly loved the time doing my job working with and for Dr Grier.I’m no longer at Asheville Gastroenterology, however I was there when he retired and I can say my remaining years until I left were not the same.he was truly missed then and he will definitely be missed now.
Vicky Ramsey
To his family, may GOD be with you through this difficult time. Reading his obituary was a great tribute to a great man. He was well loved and loved many.
I am honored to have gotten the privilege to work for Dr. Grier. He was a man of integrity and I miss him. My favorite memory was when during one of our nursing meetings, he told us that he started AGA with the intent to give more personal care and more affordable care for his patients and that’s what we had done and he gave the Lord credit for it all.
I’very worked with Dr Grier at AGA for few years before he retired and never saw him in bad mood, always kind and caring. His life is a testimony of how we all should live and serve one another and he definitely served!! Our condolences to the family. May God give you all peace.
Much love to the Grier family, all of whom remain dear to my heart from ACRHS years. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was honored ro read Mike’s obit – how beautifully you captured his spirit and character. My prayers and love are with each of you. May the memories help help heal the loss.
Chris, children, grands and all other family: I am sorry to learn of your great loss and I feel a loss as well. Chris, you may remember me as the first nurse you and Dr Grier hired at AGA. You had been helping him in the office, but had young children and needed to be at home. I have never met anyone as patient and eager to teach as Dr. Grier. I knew almost nothing about gastroenterology when he hired me, but he taught me so much for which I am so grateful. He was such a patient teacher and kind ‘boss’. I look forward to meeting him again in heaven one day.
Sorry to hear of Mikes passing. For him the struggle is over for the rest of you it has just begun. You will miss him every new season, each new project, every change in the family (new baby, marriage, etc). Time does help but some one up there will get you thru and know he is a better place with no pain.
Chris and family: I’m sorry to hear of Mikes passing but now he’s in a better place. My memories of Mike were from 1949 to 1964. He always was a hard
worker. May GOD be with you.
I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Grier as my gastroenterologist. He saved my life when he insisted on seeing what that nagging little pain I was having was all about. On my last visit to him before his retirement, he excitedly told me of his event center and all of the plans he had. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was a wonderful man and I feel very privileged to have had him as my doctor.
With deepest sympathy, I offer my love, thoughts and prayers to you all. Even though I never had the pleasure of actually meeting him in person, I felt like I knew him, as Jeanine mentioned him everyday in our office. Hugs and kisses to everyone in the Grier family.
I love ya’ll. So sorry to hear, and I look forward to the chance to cross path again.
Oh wow, I just learned of Mike Grier’s passing. As a good friend to his daughter, Jeanine, I spend many days and nights at the Grier home from 1982 to 1990. He was my Odyssey of the Mind coach and a father figure to me, and he always made me feel intelligent, important, and welcome in their home. I’m grateful to him and his family more than I can say.