Theopholus Greene

1935 - 2014

GREENE Theopholus, Jr., 79, died peacefully at his home in Lexington, Kentucky, on December 21, 2014, following a stroke. Theo was a devoted husband and father, a man of keen intellect and wit, who treasured his humble mountain roots while attaining professional success. Theo was born in Bell County, Kentucky, on May 13, 1935, to Theopholus Greene, Sr. and Vesta Robbins Greene. The times were lean, but he had fond memories of his childhood fishing in the creek and getting into the occasional bit of mischief. He was the valedictorian of his Bell County High School class, and earned a scholarship to study engineering at the University of Kentucky. He graduated from U.K. with a degree in civil engineering in 1958. While in college, Theo went to work for Howard K. Bell Consulting Engineers, and spent his career at the firm as a civil engineer, eventually retiring in 1999 as president. He cherished the wonderful people he worked with at Bell Engineers. He designed and supervised the construction of water and sewerage systems for many cities across Kentucky, including Lexington, and served as president of the Lexington chapter of the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers. He was also a member of NSPE and ASCE. Theo was a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church for sixty years, where he taught Sunday School, was a deacon, and served on numerous committees. He and his wife Carol participated in a monthly dinner group with their Calvary friends for several decades. Theo was an accomplished amateur theologian, who believed that independent thought and faith were entirely compatible. Theo's robust curiosity made him a lifelong student of religion, history, philosophy, and politics, among other fields. He relished a good debate. Theo also had a passion for family research and leaves behind a wealth of genealogical research about his family tree. Outside of work and church, Theo preferred to be at home and with his family. He was a dedicated backyard gardener, and a storyteller extraordinaire. His smile was gratifying, comforting and easily precipitated. He loved taking care of his family. In addition to Carol, his wife of 48 years, he is survived by three sons, Jeffrey (Kat), of Nashville, Tennessee, John (Lauren), of Madison, Wisconsin, and Mark (Dani), of Bethesda, Maryland. Theo was blessed with five grandchildrenJennye Elizabeth, Byron, Georgia, Will and Maudeand one great-granddaughter, Mariam. Theo is also survived by cherished family members in Bell County. Theo was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Kathryn Greene Paletti. Visitation will be Friday, December 26, 2014 from 5-8pm at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 3421 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington and from 10am until service time on Saturday at the church. Funeral services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church at 11am on Saturday, December 27, 2014, followed by a graveside service at Lexington Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Roger Byron Greene, Will Greene, Ragab Rashwan, Don Byars, Glenn Byars, and Tom Kelly. Honorary pall-bearers will be the monthly dinner group. Memorial contributions are suggested to Calvary Baptist Church, 150 E. High Street, Lexington, KY 40507 or Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Dr., Lexington, KY 40504.