Gary Donald Greer

Gary “Don” Greer, age 78, was born January 8, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama. Upon graduation from West Jefferson High School in 1966, he attended the University of Alabama then began service in the United States Navy, where he served as Aviation Electronics Technician Petty Officer 3rd Class. During his time in the Navy, Don traveled the world on the USS Intrepid and USS Forrestal and was awarded the United States Navy Certificate of Circumnavigation (Magellan Award) for completing two voyages around the globe. In addition, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Navy Unit Commendation. He was honorably discharged following his service in 1971.

In that same year, Don married his wife, Sharon Futch from Brandon, Florida. Together, they started their life in Adamsville, Alabama, where they had close friends and were near his family. After leaving the Navy, he began working for Jim Walter Corporation then followed with a long career in the Federal Government with the Mine Safety and Health Administration as a Coal Mine Inspector, a role he held until his retirement in 2005.

In addition to his love of family, Don had a lifelong love of golf and was an enthusiastic fan of nearly all sports, especially baseball and Auburn football. Music was another source of pleasure, and he was always willing to listen to his all-time favorite, Jimmy Buffett.

Don is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Sharon Greer, his children, Tyler (Jalon), Kell (Sherri) and Kyle; six grandchildren, Noah, Reagan, Nick, Zach, Catelyn and Amelia; his brother, Ted Greer, and an extended family of loving brothers and sisters-in-law. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Mose “Frank” and Dorothy Greer, of Quinton.

A memorial service will be held at 10:15 am., Thursday, March 26, at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Donations in Don’s honor can be made here

dogood.t2t.org/IMOGaryDonaldGreer