The story of Greenwood Inc. begins with James “Big Jim” Darby, whose lifelong dedication to innovation and serving others began humbly as a gravedigger.
It was a high school teacher’s simple encouragement to aim higher that fueled a determination in Jim that would eventually transform him into a respected businessman, entrepreneur, and leader.
Big Jim’s professional journey took root when he relocated to Danville, Illinois, alongside his parents, Charles and Florence Darby, who acquired Sunset Memorial Park in October 1960. There, Jim gained a deep appreciation for the value of hard work and the necessity of caring for grieving families. He soon applied his creative ingenuity by engineering new equipment to enhance the cemetery’s operations. This progressive mindset led Jim to establish Greenwood Plastics Industries, which initially focused on manufacturing burial vault liners. Under his leadership, the product line evolved into a national network known today as Trigard.
Building on this success, Big Jim orchestrated the opening of the company’s first funeral home, Sunset Funeral Home, in Danville. Just four years later, Big Jim and his wife, Caroline, were visiting their daughter in Arizona when they stumbled upon Sun City West. They decided they would one day retire to the community located just outside of Phoenix. Upon discovering the community lacked a funeral home, Jim saw an opportunity to bring his “neighbor-to-neighbor” philosophy to the area and founded Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel & Cremation Center. Through the years, Jim instilled a strong ethic of responsibility in his children, who helped strengthen the family’s presence in funeral care, and later expanded the business into pet services.
The year 2003 marked yet another milestone as Big Jim revolutionized the production of bronze grave memorials with the launch of Trigard Memorials. Even in retirement, his growth-oriented mentality continued to inspire Greenwood Inc.’s strategic direction. This influence was evident in 2016 when the company further diversified its portfolio by introducing Hall of Fame Plaques & Signs.
Beyond his professional achievements, Big Jim left an indelible mark on those around him. Driven and always in a hurry, he refused to let obstacles stand in the way of his dreams. Among his proudest accolades were his induction into the Vermilion County Business Hall of Fame and the Lasting Impact Award, which celebrated his profound contributions to funeral service on both local and national stages.
Big Jim passed away on November 18, 2024, but his legacy endures. It lives on through the company he molded, the family he cherished, and the countless lives he enriched with his generosity and unwavering commitment to others. View Obituary