Paul Samuel "Sam" Greene, Jr. passed away peacefully in his home in the early hours of June 21st 2023. Sam was born in Chattanooga, TN, first child to Paul and Evelyn Greene, in 1945. He started making trouble then and never stopped. Sam spent his formative years in Rogersville, TN. As a young adult, he joined the Navy and provided 26 years of service. Early in his career he wanted to serve on the ground in the Vietnam War, but authorities refused to let him off of the ship and onto land. He wrote to his superiors up the command chain including the President of the United States. But his request was denied every time. He got his chance on land eventually and specialized in jungle warfare. He spent many years telling other people what to do, including the Navy Seals he trained. He retired as a BMCS - Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate.
Sam loved race cars. He was involved in NASCAR before it was the juggernaut it is today and served on pit crews during his life, the closest to his heart being that of his beloved sister Lilian Holloway and her drag car, "Terri's Toy."
Post-Navy Sam and his family settled in his hometown of Rogersville, Tennessee, spending 20 years living on "the mountain," a literal mountain with a driveway that scared everyone away, which is probably why he loved it. The Southern boy had been everywhere from Panama to Iraq, but still surprised everyone when he moved to Bucks County, PA with his wife to be near her family and the rest of the Yankees. A decade later he moved one last time to Creedmoor, NC where he spent the rest of his life surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sam is survived by his wife Ruth and his children Angie, Christine, and Lauren. He is survived by his grandchildren Alyssa, Logan, Sierra, Kam, Kariana, Natalie, and Evie, and his great-grandchildren Levi, Zander, and Hazel. He is also survived by his siblings Nancy, Susan, and George, and the rest of the great big Greene family.
Services will take place in Rogersville, TN at a date and time yet to be determined.