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Obituary For John Mark Greenlee
John Mark Greenlee, 58, of Bowie, TX, passed into his eternal victory in Christ on the morning of September 6th, 2021 in Decatur, TX.
Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 10th, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
Burial will follow at 3:00 pm on Friday, at the Wayland Cemetery, near Breckenridge, TX.
Visitation will take place at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie, on Thursday, September 9th, 2021 from 6 to 8 pm.
John was born on July 6th, 1963, in Abilene, TX, the fourth child of Charles and Dortha Greenlee. After graduating from Abilene High School, John attended Abilene Christian University, graduating with a Bachelors of Business Administration.
On August 22nd, 1987, John married the love of his life, Maryann (Loveland) Greenlee at the Whites Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, LA. During the course of their 34-year marriage, John and Maryann raised three daughters.
John served in the United States Army Reserve from 1986 to 1992, including a stint (from December of 1990 through April of 1991) serving his country overseas as part of Operation Desert Storm. Part of John’s time in the Army Reserve was spent attending the U.S. Army Airborne Training School (commonly referred to as “Jump School”) at Fort Benning, where he earned his “Jump Wings” as a certified parachutist. This airborne training – along with the completion of his private pilot’s license – prefigured one of John’s most enduring hobbies: building, rebuilding, and flying antique airplanes. Apart from time spent in the presence of his dear wife and family, few things in life gave John greater joy than time spent soaring through clear skies in one of his vintage aircraft.
Between 1996 to 2014, John owned multiple H&R Block franchises, which he operated in tandem with Maryann. They also jointly owned and managed multiple rental properties and a storage rental business in Bowie, enterprises that they built from the ground up.
Throughout his life, John was a devout follower of Jesus Christ, regularly leading singing and teaching Sunday school classes as a faithful member of the Churches of Christ.
John was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Dortha Greenlee, and his brother Robert “Bob” Greenlee.
John leaves behind his beloved wife Maryann; his daughter Amanda and her husband Zach of San Antonio; his daughter Victoria and her husband Tyler of Oklahoma City; and his daughter Rachel and her husband Caleb of Moore, OK. He also leaves a sister-in-law Celia of Rotan, TX, a sister Deborah and her husband Wayne of Giddings, TX, and a brother Ed and his wife Evy of Abilene. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Ann Andrews of West Monroe, LA, as well as a grandson, Matthew, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in John’s memory can be made to the Cherokee Home for Children (P.O. Box 295, Cherokee, TX 76832; chc4kids.org), a charitable organization that John financially supported.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.
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Condolences & Tributes
Add A CondolenceI just can't believe ! I know you can't either. Seems like John and I were just talking about him trying to learn to play the upright bass and what did I think about it. We talked about Pietenpol airplanes and MGA sports cars and.......... I'm just slammed by this. Brian Amato, Michigan
To the Greenlee's, our sympathy and support, always looked forward to meeting at the Pietenpol reunion. God bless, hope to see you in 2022. John Nauerth III , MN.
Maryann, Shocked by John's death. I am truly sorry for your lost. My prayers are with you and your family. I learned a lot from about taxes and for that I am truly grateful. Laura Patterson
I am almost unable to express through words the depth of my sadness and sympathy for you all. I came to know John in 1991 as a member of his team in saudi arabia. In that short 8 months I came to know one of the greatest men I will ever know. A soldier like few others. A soldier for Christ, and the US Army, he never failed to inspire me and others with us. One night I watched him do one of the bravest things any man has ever done, crawl thru a minefield with a loudspeaker on his back, to give enemy prisoners of war a way out to safety and medical care. We had many times to discuss all kinds of things,many times about you and the girls, and how much he loved you all. We didn't get the chance to talk on the phone over the years as much as I wanted to, the last time was this year after the reunion, and I cherished it so very much. I will always remember and tell anyone and everyone of this great friend of mine and all the things he has done for so many until we see each other again, face to face. You have my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy
Maryann, I was surprised to learn of John's passing this evening. So sorry for your loss. There's not nearly enough good tenors to lose such young ones! You and your daughters are certainly in our prayers. Sam and Treva Dawson
Maryann, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in the days ahead. I am so saddened to hear of John's passing. Jan Reid
Dear Maryann and family, there are no words that can truly express our shared sorrow at John's passing. He was at all times funny, upbeat and most of all true to our Lord. He will be missed greatly by those of us who knew him in this life. We know John will be waiting for us to join him in heaven. I can imagine his last directive to us all was to 'be there.' God bless you all. Gary and Suzy Skelton.
I have known John all of his life. I remember a kind, sweet, thoughtful young boy and young man who would always try to do the right thing. I am sorry for your family's loss, but know that John believed in Jesus Christ and placed his faith in him and his resurrection... We will see him again... lanny s. lambert
So sorry Maryann in the Loss of your Husband. I met John about 6 years ago when I moved to Bowie. I knew him as the Tax Man. He will be truly by many in this town. I will keep you and your girls in my prayers. RIP JOHN
paz y resignacion a su familia
Phil and I are so sorry for your loss, John made us smile and laugh. He was truly interested in people he met. You are in our thoughts and prayers always.
Maryann I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and sympathy are with you and your family. Janell Rodgers
So sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences. May John sleep for now until the end. Daniel 12:137rh
I knew John from our time in the Army Reserve. During Desert Storm, he served as a Psychological Operations (SOCOM) team member. Among the many things he did to help pull enemy soldiers off of the battlefield through surrender appeals on a tactical loudspeaker, he and I supported the clearing operations in the battle for Khafji in Saudi Arabia in early Feb 1991. A Mechanized Infantry Battalion of Iraqis captured this border town in Saudi Arabia. We worked alongside the Saudi Army to clear the town of enemy soldiers using the loudspeaker to talk them out of buildings and surrender and at times clearing buildings room-to-room. Through the efforts of all involved, over 500 enemy soldiers were captured in Khafji. It was the first significant ground engagement in Desert Storm. John helped us achieve victory with our Saudi and US Marine Corp partners.
John was a good soldier and performed bravely in the face a danger. I know to many of you he is family. To me and the other 245th Desert Storm Veterans, John will always be our Brother. RIP John. Until we meet again.
Maryann and family, Amdy and I are saddened to hear the news of John. We always enjoy talking with you both at church. His singing during worship was so reflective of his love for our Savior. He will be greatly missed by all. Love Andy and Lorie Stevenson
We are so sorry for your loss. John was such wonderful person and approached obstacles with such optimism. Though we have been separated through distance for some time, we have some very fond memories of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls as you walk through these difficult times. God bless you. Scott & Theresa Brown and family
John was like a little brother, full of questions and eager to learn. A very good friend. He is missed. Rich
Love and prayers for the whole family during this time of sadness. John was a very good and faithful man, and we will miss his sense of humor and kindness that he showed to all. We especially remember a recent prayer that he offered that was of great comfort to us. -- Darrell & Nikki Lewis
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
