Obituary of Perry Greene

Mr. George Perry Greene Sr., age 92, of Boone, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at his home. Born December 22, 1923 in Watauga County, he was the eldest son of Clyde R. and Gertie Greene He is also survived by his three children, George Perry (Skip) Greene, Jr. & wife Dee, Ted Greene & wife Connie & Nancy & husband Dan Williams all of Boone. He is survived by one brother Cecil Greene and wife Hazel & one sister Betty Koontz all of Boone. He is also survived by grandchildren Amy Greene of Boone, Alison Greene Hough and husband Cordell of Charlotte, NC, Kevin Greene of Mountain View, CA, Nic Greene & wife Liz of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Ben Williams of Boone, Tyler Williams & wife Christy of Asheville, NC & Hannah Williams of Johnson City, TN. His great-grandchildren are Isaac, Cole, Ada, Amelia, Elliott, Perry Mia, Abram & Cash. Preceded in death by wife of 63 years, Theresa Brown Greene, sisters Mary Sue Miller and Cleo Rhyne. Raised in Boone went to Elementary and High School in Boone, he was President of his high school senior class at Appalachian High School in 1938. Upon graduating from high school he enrolled at NC State College in Raleigh at age 16, where he studied Civil Engineering. WWII interrupted his time at State and he entered the United States Navy Seabees (Naval construction battalion). Lacking one semester to finish his degree, the Navy sent him to Duke University to complete his degree before entering active service. Upon graduating from Duke, Perry entered active service. The majority of his active service was on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. This island had just been secured and he was very active in building the breakwater levee which created a calm water port that is still in use today. As the war ended, he returned to NC and married Frances Theresa Brown. After his return to Boone he purchased W.C. Greene Construction in 1946 and began a lifetime career. His early years were spent building in Watauga & Ashe Counties of NC & Johnson County, TN areas. In the early 1950s he helped establish Boones first transit mix concrete business. Over the years he was involved in most major building projects in and around the Boone area, such as Horn in the West, Daniel Boone Gardens, many motels, bank buildings, fire stations and on Appalachian State University campus. Perry was active in helping hold local elections, was Chairman of Watauga County Board of Commissioners, he was on the board of trustees at ASU and bank boards of Northwestern, Watauga Savings & Loan & Centura Bank. He also served as Secretary of Transportation for the State of North Carolina. Perry was very active in his local church, First Baptist Church of Boone, where he served as a deacon, member of pastor search committees, Sunday School Teacher & on building committees. Perry & his wife both served as short-term missionaries in the country of Togo, West Africa, for approximately 2 years. He used his construction expertise in building new worship centers. He & his wife also served as volunteer coordinators, using their gifts of logistics & hospitality for NC Volunteers during the partnership between NC Baptist & the Togo mission. Perry served as disaster relief coordinator during the Hurricane Andrew rebuild as well as during flood relief in the Midwest. Mr. & Mrs. Greenes lives were centered on service. They always wanted to see a job completed. It could be pulling weeds at the flower garden, delivering meals to shut-ins, or building a chapel in Togo, God used them in mighty ways as a couple to be His hand & feet. This has been a real example to his family & community. His famous quote: I dont know how to say what I want to say....so I will just say it., followed him through life. The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church of Boone on Friday, January 29, 2016 from 5-7pm in the Sanctuary. Funeral services for Mr. Perry Greene will be conducted Saturday morning January 30, 2016 at 11 o�clock at the First Baptist Church. Graveside services and burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church, �Rise Up� Campaign, 375 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the Greene family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Greene family.