Al Greenleaf
November 23, 1926 - March 1, 2015
Al Greenleaf passed away peacefully at home of cardiac arrest. He had been receiving treatment for throat cancer. Al was born in Los Angeles, CA and grew up in Inglewood, CA. He graduated from Inglewood High School in 1944, earned his BA at Pepperdine in 1949 and his MA from USC in 1953. Al served in the Navy during WWII as a coxswain aboard the USS Algorab in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign.
Al was known to everyone as COACH, a tribute to his life's work which started while he was earning his teaching credential. Al worked for the Inglewood Recreation Department and coached a Kiwanis softball team that never lost a game. Al was honored with a Lifetime Membership in the Kiwanis Club and lifetime friendships. Al focused on the basics, knew the strategy, and had that magic which brought teams together. Al met Norma, his best friend, golfing partner and wife in Lompoc where he had secured his first teaching position. They married and moved back to the South Bay where Al accepted a position at Morningside High School. Al was the first Baseball and Basketball Coach at Morningside High School and was a sponsor for the golf team. He led the 1955 Basketball team to its first CIF Championship and was instrumental in starting the athletic program.
Al moved on to a position at El Camino College where he was an Instructor, Summer Recreation Supervisor, Golf Coach, and Athletic Director. He coached 3 State Championship Warrior Golf Teams, including the 1963 team which secured the first ever State Championship for the school. Through 1978 Al also led the golf team to 3 Southern California Championships, 14 Metro Conference Dual Meet Championships and 10 Metro Conference Medal Championships. Three years his teams were undefeated, and they never had a losing season. Al belonged to Palos Verdes CC for over 50 years and to Mission Hills CC for over 10 years. He enjoyed playing in tournaments and all of the wonderful friendships. He loved to travel and spent time playing golf in the British Isles and across the US. He also enjoyed spending time with his family - attending the kids baseball games, swim meets, basketball games, football games, wrestling matches, karate competitions, track meets, soccer tournaments, volleyball games.... as well as the occasional musical, piano or dance recital and miniature golf match. Al was a proud member of the following organizations: Chula Vista Presbyterian Church, VFW, American Legion, YMCA and a Life Member of the NRA.
Al was pre-deceased by his mother and father, Alexander and Gladys Brown Greenleaf. Al is survived by his wife of 64 years, Norma; children, Kerri and Mark Crampton, Kristie Greenleaf, Kathi and Jim Ruziecki, Ken and Lisa Greenleaf; grandchildren, Jenni and Clint Munroe, Shane Bakke, Sean Crampton, Sarah Crampton, Paul Crampton, Jane Witzenburg, Rachel Greenleaf, Jeff and Martina Ruziecki, Brian and Brittney Ruziecki, Eric and Gianine Ruziecki, Kristin and Jeff Yeager, Erin Dowell; great-grandchildren, Damon, Colby, Emma R, William, Addison, Kendall, Zachary, Austin, and Emma D.; his sister, Virginia Jenkins; his brother-in-law, Ed Sperber; nephews and niece; cousins and countless former students. He will be missed.
To honor Al, donations may be made to Chula Vista Presbyterian Church or . MEMORIAL SERVICES:
March 22, 2015 at 2:00pm, Palos Verdes Country Club,
3301 Via Campesina Palos Verdes Est., CA 90274
April 12, 2015 at 11:30 am, Chula Vista Presbyterian Church, 940 Hilltop Dr. Chula Vista, CA 91911.
Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.
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Published in Daily Breeze on Mar. 15, 2015
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