Nathan J. "Nat" Greene

1938 - 2021

Nathan " Nat " J. Greene
August 15, 1938 - October 3, 2021
Monroe, North Carolina - Nathan J. Greene made a difference with his life. Nat was born August 15, 1938, the eleventh child of Lonnie Wilson and Jane Hinson Greene. He died peacefully at home in Union County at the age of 83 with his beloved Dot at his side.
Having grown up when cotton was king, "Sonny" was proud of the mud between his toes and the time he went with his dad as the community volunteer veterinarian. He dreamed of heroic sports moments and ways of an easier life than farming. He graduated from Unionville High School in 1956 and East Carolina University in Greenville in 1961. There he had an unprecedented heroic moment when he pitched the national baseball championship game in Sioux City, winning the coveted N.A.I.A. trophy for ECU.
He spent his business life managing finance offices in Charlotte before returning to Union County as the manager of the Chamber of Commerce. He served as Economic Developer during the county's explosive growth of 1970-1990. Nathan earned graduate degrees as a professional developer and served as President of the NC/SC Association of Chamber Executives where he was named "Most Outstanding Chamber Executive in NC".
Before Atrium, the county's medical services were at Union Memorial Hospital. Nat spearheaded a recruitment program and brought a cadre of newly-trained doctors to the county. The last decade of his professional career was as a Regional Economic Developer for North Carolina Department of Commerce.
He was heralded as one of the "Ten Movers and Shakers" of his era by the Monroe Enquirer-Journal for his energetic efforts on a local and state level to help make his community and county a special place to work and play. Past award recipients of the "Outstanding Union County Man of the Year" award celebrated him in 1980.
Nat served as Charter President of the Indian Trail Lions Club prior to relocating to his farm on Lake Twitty. He served two citizen-elected terms on the Union County Board of Education, and spent more than 50 years in the Monroe Rotary Club where he served as President and attended International Conventions in Buenos Aires, Scotland, England and several cities in the USA. The HASOB social men's club remained one of his favorite places to enjoy downhome BBQ and tall tales.
His heroic sports moments continued throughout his life as a member of Rolling Hills Country Club, twice serving as Club President, and winning the Club Championship Tournament. He was selected to serve 5 years on the North Carolina Golf Panel, playing and rating the 100 Best Golf Courses in the state. Reliving and telling about his three "Hole in One" achievements was his pleasure. After retiring from the active game at age 80, he became a master of the TV remote control, dialing in golf, baseball, basketball and football sporting events, history, and the national news. He avidly read historical books, three newspapers and several magazines daily. He continued meeting with the longtime breakfast group at Hilltop.
He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 64 years, Doris Mills "Dot" Greene, his son, Jeff (Stephanie) of Pompano Beach; grandchildren, Brad Greene, Tiffany, Brandon and Hadley Searle; cherished in-laws and outlaws; as well as several dozen treasured nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, as well as dear neighbors and friends near and far.
Congregate Celebration of Life services are postponed due to Covid. Dot and Jeff, family, friends and neighbors are honoring him at the residence. An outdoor memorial service will be held at Crooked Creek Primitive Baptist Church, 7818 Crooked Creek Church Road, Monroe, NC 28110, near his childhood home on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 2:00 PM. You are invited to bring a chair. He will be at eternal rest beside his Civil War Grandfather Nathan, his parents and siblings. Following the service there will be a time to enjoy refreshments and spend time with friends and family in the church fellowship hall.
May remembrances of him fill your heart with love and appreciation for a life truly well lived.
Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com
Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the family.