Garland Gene Greer

Garland Gene Greer, 76, of Knollwood Drive, Morganton, NC, died Saturday, December 22, 2007. Born in Mount Eden, KY on December 8, 1931, he was the son of the late Walter Drake Greer and Marjorie Mae Warford Greer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert G. Greer.Garland retired from Drexel Heritage. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served 20 years as a combat engineer. He completed tours in the Korea Conflict and Vietnam War. He was a member of the Valdese First Christian Church. Upon retirement from Drexel Heritage, he traveled the northwest, especially enjoying the Oregon Trail and Salmon River. Mr. Greer was a life-long member of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Division Marines, American Legion, and the Marine Corps League.Garland is survived by his wife, Evelyn Ann Stephenson Greer of the home; a son, William D. Greer of Boone, NC; a daughter, Sue A. Greer of Boone; a brother, William S. Greer of Kentucky; and grandchildren, Emily, Elizabeth, Will, and Brian Greer.The funeral will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 23, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Denny Camp and Diana Spangler-Crawford officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military graveside rites to be performed by Table Rock Detachment #1147. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.