SIMON GREINER

1994 - 2016

April 17, 1994 - October 3, 2016 EDMOND Cherished son and grandson, beloved brother, nephew, cousin and steadfast friend, Simon Robert Greiner, 22, died Monday, October 3. Simon was literally born with a smile on his face on April 17, 1994, the second child in Don and Shellie Greiner's family.Simon attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School through fifth grade and then moved to Central Middle School. He was a member of the Class of 2012 at Edmond Memorial High School where he excelled in track and field and made lifelong friends. He then attended the University of Tulsa on athletic and academic scholarships and graduated in May 2016 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Sports Exercise Science.He was a four time state champion at EMHS where he anchored the championship 4 x 800 relay team, affectionately called "The Four Horsemen." His hard work on the track led to athletic and academic scholarships at the University of Tulsa, where he was a repeat conference champion and was named an All American.While studying at TU, Simon tutored inner city youth and began to find his life's path. This fall, he was a volunteer at Bishop McGuinness High School and working with the cross country team and was also volunteering at an inner city school in Oklahoma City. Those opportunities helped him decide to pursue a Master's degree in Education. Simon was applying for graduate schools and athletic graduate assistant programs at the time of his death.Simon is survived by his parents Don and Shellie [Smith] Greiner; siblings Joe and Mary Jesse; paternal grandparents Ken and Leitner Greiner; maternal grandparents Willis and Joann Smith and Dr. Lisa Wasemiller-Smith; maternal uncles Jay Smith, Ryan and Adam Forman-Smith; and aunt Beth Bowman; and paternal aunts and cousins Kathy and Larry Pierce and Bretton, Wade, Leigha, Marianne, Julia and John Paul Pierce; Jenny and Ray Burrell and Luke and Max Burrell; Cheryl and Ted Gumerson and Kedon, Greiner, Jarrell and Leitner and daughter Brielle Gumerson,; and Godparents Susan Devero and Jeff Smith.He was greeted in Heaven by maternal grandparents Tom and Janice Laughlin and his cousin baby Hope Gumerson. Simon was one-of-a-kind. He wore clothing from Goodwill, owned a single pair of non-running shoes (sandals), and for underwear, wore nothing but running shorts. He became a great student and voracious reader while at TU, and was a natural, cheerful leader who loved life. He was a dear and precious son, brother and friend, and will be missed dearly by all who loved him.He was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, Oklahoma where a Rosary and Wake Service will be held on Thursday, October 6, at 7 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Oct. 7, at 10 am. Service arrangements are through Smith and Kernke Funeral Home in Oklahoma City.A memorial in Simon's memory has been created for running shoes for inner city track programs through Fields and Futures, 7001 NW 164th Street, Edmond, OK 73013 or fieldsandfutures.org.The family expresses their sympathy to the many family and friends who loved Simon. You all loved him too, and they are sorry for your loss. They are thankful to his friends, coaches, TU Chaplain Father Kerry Wakulich and his teammates who meant so much to Simon. Additionally, they are overwhelmed by the love and support from their friends and loving community at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.