Dennis Richard Greer, 68, of Lenoir won his long fought battle with cancer at 9:14 p.m. on January 11th, 2016. He passed into heaven from his home, the Double G Ranch, with his family by his side. Richard was born May 1st, 1947 to Nicholas Abraham Greer Jr. and Ollie Sutton Greer.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gail Carlton Greer, his son, Robert Van Greer and wife Jennifer Joplin Greer, daughter Alicia Greer Brown and husband Nicholas Charles Brown, Grandchildren: Carrie Frances Greer, Sydney Gail Greer, Miles Alexander Austin and Richard Grayam Austin, brother Steven Greer and wife Jennifer Warren Greer, sister Nickie Lackey Creger and husband Charles Creger and Drema Greer and wife Faye Joplin. Preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sherry Greer Dillard.
Richard was a great athlete through school with many accomplishments in football and baseball. He graduated from Lenoir High School with many fond memories and lifelong friends. He attended Caldwell Community College and Wake Technical College. He was a Jaycee and held multiple offices. He was the fund raising chairman for the Boy Scouts and enjoyed that time. He was a successful little league coach for many years. Richard was the President of Lenoir Golf Club and Cedar Rock Country Club, and served as an officer for the Tennessee Walking Horses Association. He was the founder and CEO of CNC, a human services business, along with his son Robert Greer. He developed a wonderful Par 3 golf course and restaurant "Camelot". This course was voted the best new practice facility in a well known golf magazine. He wanted to combine two of his loves. The love of the game of golf and his hometown. He was the founder of Universal Mental Health Services with his two children, and owned Universal Finance Company, along with his son. Earlier in his career he traveled the country as a contract engineer for Bell Telephone Companies. After high school he worked as a brick mason and taught this for a while at Hibriten High School. He was known to say, "anything worth doing is worth doing well." Richard was a member of First United Methodist Church.
He was an avid golfer that could read a green with the best of them. His silky smooth putting stroke and wedge play could get him out of many sticky situations. He traveled near and far to enjoy the game with many friends and family. Richard loved playing golf with all his friends at Lenoir GC and Cedar Rock CC. He loved playing cards in many fashions with the same group of men, with a few additions, for 40 years. He raised several World Champion Tennessee Walking Horses, and collected many trophies and ribbons over the years. The horses are now retired and living at GG Ranch.
He loved life and people. He loved telling jokes and laughter brought a smile to his face. He was full of compassion for those in need and helped many people. For many years he provided food on holidays. He did not brag or boast of these things and he would not speak of them. Richard could find good in everyone and declined to dwell on the bad. His wife and others would comment on his beautiful blue eyes that twinkled when he laughed. Most of all he loved his wife, children and grandchildren. They were his delight and main concern. Cancer took many things from Richard, but it did not take his spirit, his smile and his love for family, friends, fun and life. Rest well Richard.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Lenoir on Friday January 15, 2016 at 3 PM. Immediately following the memorial service there will be a celebration of life at Cedar Rock CC. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the building fund at First United Methodist Church and Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care of Lenoir.
Online condolences may be sent to the Greer family at www.evansfuneralservice.com. Evans Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the Greer Family.