Henry Claude Greene, Jr., 88, passed away Monday, May 28, 2018, at his residence. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday at 12 Noon at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Pio Nono with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Main Gate. The Rev. Joe McDaniel will officiate. The family will meet friends from 11 a.m. to service time on Thursday at the funeral home. Following the graveside service, friends and family are invited to meet at his residence to remember him and to share special memories.
Mr. Greene was preceded in death by his wife of thirty-five years, Mona Louise Jobe Greene and his son-in-law, Keith Walker, his siblings, Sally Trimble (Alva), William Blake Greene and Wayne Greene. He was the son of the late Henry Claude Greene, Sr. and Lucye Jones Greene. A native of Macon, he was a graduate of Lanier High School. A four-letter man, in 1947 he was named the school’s Outstanding Athlete where he played baseball, football and basketball. He attended the University of South Carolina, earning a football scholarship. While there he played both football and basketball.
After college, Mr. Greene joined the Navy where he served for two years. While in the Navy he participated in the Navy Boxing League winning the National Title of Undefeated, Undisputed Golden Gloves Heavyweight Boxing Champion. After the Navy, he played professional baseball, signing a pitching contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950. Three decades later, Greene began coaching women’s competitive softball, giving him the opportunity to continue his love of sports while also spending time with his daughters, who played for him.
He coached the Lady Elite 18U softball team who won the 1987 USSSA State and Atlantic Region Crowns. In the 1990s his Class A Blaze team won the Flag City Shootout twice, and USSSA Class A State titles from 1993 to 1995.
As a result of these athletic accomplishments, Mr. Greene was inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
He passed on his love of sports to his four grandchildren, and in his later years he enjoyed many years watching them compete in a variety of sports, from t-ball to college.
Mr. Greene was retired as a Unit Section Chief in Electronics at Robins Air Force Base after thirty-three years of service.
All during Mr. Greene’s life, his family came first. The oldest of six siblings, he willingly took on the role of main provider for his family at a very young age. He was a loving and devoted husband father, grandfather, and friend, always setting a fine example for his children and grandchildren.
Many have referred to him as a “gentle giant” and he was respected by all who knew him.
Mr. Greene was a member of the Burger King Men’s Club comprised of many old friends. They met daily to discuss solving the world’s problems and sharing many entertaining and colorful stories.
Survivors include his children, Lecia Walker, Cindy Long (Bobby), Jenny Smith (Brannen); his grandchildren, Joshua Walker, Zack Walker, Blair Smith and Dakota Long; his sisters, Lucene Branum (Ricky) and Suzanne Cramer (Bobby); and a number of nieces and nephews.
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Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Pio Nono Avenue has charge of arrangements.
