John Lauri Greer

Mr. John Lauri Greer, 72, of Hemet, California passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2011, at his residence, surrounded by family and friends, in Hemet California. He was born November 30, 1938 in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. He and his wife, Donelda Greer were married 51 years. John served in the Army and Army Reserves for 6 years After leaving the Army, he graduated from Long Beach State College, then worked as a civil engineer for 35 years. But, his real passion was wood carving, particularly wild life and caricature; he was also a talented painter. John was very creative and had an eye for detail. He was a perfectionist when it came to his carving, consulting many research books so every feather, scale or hair was meticulously burned into his creations. John had the knack and vision to capture expressions on the faces of his creations so that there was little doubt as to what the creature was thinking at the moment. He was very skilled as well as very gifted. During the Ward Show, an international carving show in Ocean City Maryland, he took second and third prize in different categories against top talents from around the world. He also expressed his artistic side by painting with water colors, oils and acrylics, primarily wild-life scenes. Though he was an avid trout fisherman and took an annual fishing vacation with friends, family was very important to John as was his church. He was a Christian, good husband, loving father, fisherman, carver, a very sensitive, caring man with a gentle sense of humor. He will be sorely missed by his friends and family. Surviving John are his wife, Donelda J Greer, sons Michael Scott Greer and John Steven Greer, and his fraternal twin brother, Neil E Greer and 8 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sister, Gladys E. Greer, and parents Charles and Erja Greer.The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at McWane Family Funeral Home, 350 N San Jacinto Ave, Hemet, California.A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at Hemet Church of the Nazarene, 42655 State Highway 74, Hemet CA 92544 starting at 11:00 AM, followed by fellowship of friends and neighbors. Inurnment will be at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA at a private family service.Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mcwanefamily.com.