Obituary for Kirby Charles Greene
Kirby C. Greene, 81 of Mineola passed away unexpectedly Monday, April 24, 2023, in Lindale. He was
born October 17, 1941, in Elmira, New York, the son of Thurlow (Tag) Austin Greene and Ruth Ronemus
(Madara) Greene.
Kirby graduated from Union-Endicott High School, Endicott, New York, in the Class of 1959. Following
graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1978. He served aboard the U.S.S Corral Sea, U.S.S.
F.D. Roosevelt, and the U.S.S. Constellation. He served two tours in Vietnam and received multiple
commendations.
Kirby enjoyed and took advantage of the many opportunities to advance his studies while in the Navy.
He furthered his education by obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics, Magna Cum
Laude received at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University of Daytona Beach Florida. While in the Navy he
received a Bronze Star, the Navy Good Conduct Metal (5 th award), National Defense Service Metal, the
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Metal with Device, Armed Forces Expeditionary Metal, Navy Unit
Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation.
After leaving the U.S. Navy he continued to work Civil Service with multiple military contractors,
including McDonnell Douglas, where he met and married his wife Patricia (McKamey) Greene. Then they
moved to Mesa, AZ where he continued to work at McDonnell Douglas as an Engineer and later with
Boeing where he worked on the Apache Helicopter Project.
During those years in Arizona, they enjoyed traveling, going to Hawaii and Laughlin, Nevada. They loved
going to Payson, Arizona and enjoyed the mountains. They frequently hiked Usery Pass, which is 1.8 mile
out and back trip on Ridge trail near Mesa, along with loving to take the ATVs in the desert. He enjoyed
visitors coming out to visit and taking them to see the sights of Mesa and the surrounding areas.
Before leaving Arizona, he had retired from Boeing. Upon leaving Arizona they moved to Mineola, Texas
after retiring from Boeing they asked him to continue doing consultant work for a few more years. Their
move to Texas was to be near their children who all live in the surrounding area.
After he retired from Boeing years later, they moved to Mineola, Texas, Kirby was still doing consultant
work for Boeing. Their move to Texas was to be closer to their children and grandchildren who live in the
surrounding areas.
Kirby was a member of the Elks Club in Mesa Arizona and was a current member of VFW Post No. 7523
of Mineola, Texas. He enjoyed volunteering for different organizations, such as the Kiwanis Club of
Mineola, Texas. His generous actions of donating to many causes included East Texas Food Bank, Mercy
Hospital Ships, Wounded Warrior Project, and the Salvation Army. He believed in paying it forward by
paying off a family’s layaway at Wal-Mart during the Christmas season.
He enjoyed woodworking and taking daily walks with his companion his dog Lucky to the Mineola
Nature Preserve. He was proud of the contribution he made to the viewing stand at the Mineola Nature
Preserve.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepson Donald S. Klimowski.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia (McKamey) Greene and his brother Barry (Karen) Greene and
sister Janice (Jack)Slocum all from New York. His stepchildren Elizabeth (Cary) Miller of Gilmer, Texas,
David Guth of Oklahoma, Victoria Klimowski Elliott of Quitman, Texas, Sheri (Clifford) Love, of Grand
Saline, Texas and Joseph Klimowski of Quitman, Texas. Four grandchildren, Ricky Don Higgins, Heather
Abbott, Amber Love and Cassey Love. Along with six great grandchildren. Extending the family, Kirby and
Patricia enjoyed the special bond with Ashley Hatfield, who lovingly referred to Kirby as Grandpa.
Kirby will dearly be missed as he had a huge personality with a sense of humor and wisdom. Those who
wish to remember him may make gifts in his memory to any of the organizations of which he was fond.
A Celebration of his life will be at 1:00 p.m. May 11, 2023, at Beaty Funeral Home 5396 S. State Hwy 37
in Mineola, TX.
Live broadcast of the service is available by clicking the following link: https://www.viewlogies.net/beaty-funeral-home/Gt5PW6hnJ?pin=232527
born October 17, 1941, in Elmira, New York, the son of Thurlow (Tag) Austin Greene and Ruth Ronemus
(Madara) Greene.
Kirby graduated from Union-Endicott High School, Endicott, New York, in the Class of 1959. Following
graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1978. He served aboard the U.S.S Corral Sea, U.S.S.
F.D. Roosevelt, and the U.S.S. Constellation. He served two tours in Vietnam and received multiple
commendations.
Kirby enjoyed and took advantage of the many opportunities to advance his studies while in the Navy.
He furthered his education by obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics, Magna Cum
Laude received at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University of Daytona Beach Florida. While in the Navy he
received a Bronze Star, the Navy Good Conduct Metal (5 th award), National Defense Service Metal, the
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Metal with Device, Armed Forces Expeditionary Metal, Navy Unit
Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation.
After leaving the U.S. Navy he continued to work Civil Service with multiple military contractors,
including McDonnell Douglas, where he met and married his wife Patricia (McKamey) Greene. Then they
moved to Mesa, AZ where he continued to work at McDonnell Douglas as an Engineer and later with
Boeing where he worked on the Apache Helicopter Project.
During those years in Arizona, they enjoyed traveling, going to Hawaii and Laughlin, Nevada. They loved
going to Payson, Arizona and enjoyed the mountains. They frequently hiked Usery Pass, which is 1.8 mile
out and back trip on Ridge trail near Mesa, along with loving to take the ATVs in the desert. He enjoyed
visitors coming out to visit and taking them to see the sights of Mesa and the surrounding areas.
Before leaving Arizona, he had retired from Boeing. Upon leaving Arizona they moved to Mineola, Texas
after retiring from Boeing they asked him to continue doing consultant work for a few more years. Their
move to Texas was to be near their children who all live in the surrounding area.
After he retired from Boeing years later, they moved to Mineola, Texas, Kirby was still doing consultant
work for Boeing. Their move to Texas was to be closer to their children and grandchildren who live in the
surrounding areas.
Kirby was a member of the Elks Club in Mesa Arizona and was a current member of VFW Post No. 7523
of Mineola, Texas. He enjoyed volunteering for different organizations, such as the Kiwanis Club of
Mineola, Texas. His generous actions of donating to many causes included East Texas Food Bank, Mercy
Hospital Ships, Wounded Warrior Project, and the Salvation Army. He believed in paying it forward by
paying off a family’s layaway at Wal-Mart during the Christmas season.
He enjoyed woodworking and taking daily walks with his companion his dog Lucky to the Mineola
Nature Preserve. He was proud of the contribution he made to the viewing stand at the Mineola Nature
Preserve.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepson Donald S. Klimowski.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia (McKamey) Greene and his brother Barry (Karen) Greene and
sister Janice (Jack)Slocum all from New York. His stepchildren Elizabeth (Cary) Miller of Gilmer, Texas,
David Guth of Oklahoma, Victoria Klimowski Elliott of Quitman, Texas, Sheri (Clifford) Love, of Grand
Saline, Texas and Joseph Klimowski of Quitman, Texas. Four grandchildren, Ricky Don Higgins, Heather
Abbott, Amber Love and Cassey Love. Along with six great grandchildren. Extending the family, Kirby and
Patricia enjoyed the special bond with Ashley Hatfield, who lovingly referred to Kirby as Grandpa.
Kirby will dearly be missed as he had a huge personality with a sense of humor and wisdom. Those who
wish to remember him may make gifts in his memory to any of the organizations of which he was fond.
A Celebration of his life will be at 1:00 p.m. May 11, 2023, at Beaty Funeral Home 5396 S. State Hwy 37
in Mineola, TX.
Live broadcast of the service is available by clicking the following link: https://www.viewlogies.net/beaty-funeral-home/Gt5PW6hnJ?pin=232527