In Memoriam - Lawrence (Larry) O. Greer

           We have lost a treasured historian, mentor, friend. 

           Lawrence Owen Greer was a stalwart member of the Van Zandt County Historical Commission for many years, as well as a member of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society and a librarian at the Genealogy Library.

          Those of us who are involved in genealogy and history in Van Zandt County all knew Larry for his dedication to research and scholarship. We also knew him as a great storyteller. He kept the stories coming, often beginning with his favorite phrase, “I’m gonna tell you something!” Nobody doing research for any length of time at the genealogy library could miss seeing Larry, either working as librarian or in a corner doing his own research, happily sharing what new historical information, genealogy discoveries, and fun facts he had just uncovered. He ranged far and wide in his research, from the genealogy and main libraries in Canton, to libraries in Austin, Texas; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and many other locations, as well as the internet.

          Larry used to say, “I’m a people person, I want to learn about people, more than things.” And what he learned, he talked about! If you were there at the genealogy library, he would talk to you, too. In this way, he became a mentor to many genealogists and history researchers. If you were fortunate enough to see Larry debating some fine point of local history with Elvis Allen, Chairman of the Van Zandt County Historical Commission, you’d feel like you were getting a Ph.D. on the subject, as well as enjoying a lot of laughs.

           But it wasn’t just talk. Larry was the author of numerous articles, historical marker applications, and other publications, including Stories Beneath the Stones (with coauthor Benja Pittman Mize), a fascinating history of all the people buried at Hillcrest Cemetery in Canton.

          Lawrence Owen Greer was born April 30, 1938, in the Wentworth Community (near Canton) of Van Zandt County, the son of John Wesley and Lorene Strickland Greer. He attended the Wentworth and Canton schools until his parents moved the family to Dallas when he was still a child.  He was in the last graduating class of Forest Avenue High School in 1956.  He attended Tyler Junior College and received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Texas. He later attended the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management at Stanford University and became a Fellow of the National Institute of Credit.

           After college graduation, Larry served in the United States Army Reserves for six years and became a life member of AMVETS.  He was a member of the Church of Christ.  Lawrence met Edna "Mickie" Cole on a blind date in Dallas, Texas. Their marriage lasted for 52 years until Mickie passed away in 2019. The couple were blessed with three children: Donna (spouse: Kris); Ed (spouse: Katy); and Justin, who died while serving Van Zandt County as an Assistant District Attorney.  They had one grandchild, Wesley Greer.

           Although interested in history, Larry made his career in business and banking.  He worked for Dun & Bradstreet, then was a manager for Crocker National Bank.  He was a Vice President and Southwest Regional Credit and Operation Manager for Chase Manhattan Bank. After his banking experience, he joined the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and served in various management capacities before retiring after 17 years.

        Larry and Mickie lived in various places in Texas and visited almost every state in the United States. In 1987, they settled near Canton, on land that had been in Larry's family for generations. Upon Larry’s retirement, the county and its residents benefited from his tireless genealogy and history work, which he did as a volunteer. Mickie was a strong supporter of his work. 

        Tragedy took its toll.  Friends joined Larry and his family in grief at Mickie’s death, and at the loss of their two sons. The ultimate “people person,” Larry was the first one to say that every person’s life holds both joy and misfortune. It is our misfortune to have lost him, but he is now part of our history. We can never let him be forgotten.