John Barry Greer, Sr.

July 17, 1954 – October 4, 2020

John Barry Greer, Sr. passed away unexpectedly on Sunday October 4^th, 2020 at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, CA. He was born in Turlock, California to Charles and Gertrude Greer on July 17^th, 1954. John had been a lifelong resident of Stanislaus County, growing up in Denair, spending his young adult years in Turlock, and returning to Denair in 1994. After a very short courtship, John married his lifelong bride, Patti Lawton on June 28^th, 1975 and they had been married for 45 years.

John attended Denair schools from Kindergarten through high school, graduating in 1972. He began his 46-year career with A.L. Gilbert Company in 1974. John worked full-time to provide for his young family while attending Stanislaus State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math and Computer Science in 1982. Shortly after graduating, John began to create, implement, and direct the IT department for A.L. Gilbert Company which is where he continued to work tirelessly for his entire career.

John was raised with his family at Denair Friends Church, where he was a lifelong, active member, serving on many committees and leading countless projects. Some of his greatest joys were watching his three sons enjoy life, and spending quality time with his grandchildren and extended family. He was a soft-spoken man who had a profound impact on all he came in contact with. John’s overwhelming compassion, unending work ethic, and continual generosity were all testaments to his unwavering faith in Jesus and continuing desire to serve God until his final breath.

John is survived by his wife Patti of Denair, CA and his sons and daughters-in-law: John Greer Jr. of Modesto, CA; Michael and Hillary Greer of Bainbridge, OH; Christopher and Jennifer Greer of Capitola, CA. John and Patti were blessed with two grandchildren, Travis Greer of Capitola, CA, and Emerson Greer of Bainbridge, OH. John is also survived by his brother Charles II and Jane Greer of Denair, CA, sister Ann and Bob Church of Columbia, MO, sister Jane and George Jacobson of Denair, CA, sister Sally Green of Yreka, CA, and sister Doris and Tim Stiles of Denair, CA. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Gertrude, and his brother Jimmy Greer.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John’s name to Denair Friends Church or the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, CA.

An outdoor Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday October 10^th, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at 5227 S. Waring Rd. Denair, CA 95316. The family asks that all who attend comply with the current COVID-19 safety recommendations (physical distancing & face covering). There will also be a live streaming option for those who cannot be there in person, which can be found by following DenairFC on Facebook.

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Condolences(17)

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William M. Daly says
October 17, 2020 at 9:05 pm

To Patti and Family;

My heart has been broken as well, since hearing of John’s passing.
I worked with John for 35 of John’s 46 years at the A.L. Gilbert Company. He surely did keep us up to speed and safe with technology. He was patient and thorough. Everyone loved him.
He would be most proud when he brought a grandchild to our office as well as displaying the whole Greer family proudly in his office. Everyone respected John and his efforts.

I give thanks for our relationship.

Bill Daly
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Ken Freeby says
October 15, 2020 at 10:21 pm

Dear Patti:
We were stunned to read of the passing of your beloved John. Sylvia and I met you when you shopped at our store, Family Bible Center, a number of years ago. Whenever we have seen the two of you in the years since, you both have been the picture of Christian love and joy. Both of you have been an inspiration.
We are praying for you to know God’s comfort and peace that exceeds our understanding as you adjust to this great loss that is expressed so well by the other notes on this website. We will continue to pray that your family will surround you with their love and support. Truly, John is in the presence of our loving heavenly Father. He was a great man and will be sorely missed.

God bless you.

Ken & Sylvia Freeby
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Denice Mendoza says
October 12, 2020 at 8:37 pm

Patti and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of John’s passing.
May God provide each of you comfort as you go through this journey in life without John.
Blessings, Denice
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Jennifer Greet says
October 10, 2020 at 11:22 pm

John, you are already missed so very much. You have always provided so much grace, love, and support for our family. I recall our early discussions about being a Christian & remember talking about how I struggled with the words “surrender” & “worship”. You never tried to convince me or judge me for my thoughts. You knew I would figure it out along my journey in my own time. Time & Time again I’m reminded to relinquish control, to welcome Jesus into our lives, to trust, and to worship in celebration of the many blessings in our lives. I thank you for the grace to discover this on my own. I am a better person for knowing & loving you. I will squeeze Chris & Travis daily and give them all the love I can.
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Debbie Feathers-Crawford says
October 9, 2020 at 2:10 am

I have good memories of John and Patti at the friends church. I sang in the choir with them and had remembered them as the cuties couple. John always had a smile on his face, and was always so kind.
My prayer is that God will wrap his arms around you and ease the pain.
Love Debbie Feathers-Crawford
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Sally Green says
October 8, 2020 at 11:41 pm

I still can’t believe you’re gone! I’m going to miss you and cherish the times I got to see you and your family, especially at Robert and Jessie’s wedding. I have great memories of you teaching me how to pitch fastballs, curves, drop balls, etc. I’m probably not naming them correctly. But you would not let me be done until I pitched each one perfectly. That is such a precious memory I will hold onto forever. You also liked to get me and Doris to wrestle until we were finally pulling hair and scratching each other, and crying! You were a rascal! There are so many stories to tell. I love you and am going to miss you so much.
Love, Sally
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Sarah Green says
October 8, 2020 at 11:40 pm

I still can’t believe you’re gone! I’m going to miss you and cherish the times I got to see you and your family, especially at Robert and Jessie’s wedding. I have great memories of you teaching me how to pitch fastballs, curves, drop balls, etc. I’m probably not naming them correctly. But you would not let me be done until I pitched each one perfectly. That is such a precious memory I will hold onto forever. You also liked to get me and Doris to wrestle until we were finally pulling hair and scratching each other, and crying! You were a rascal! There are so many stories to tell. I love you and am going to miss you so much.
Love, Sally
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Louisa Allen says
October 8, 2020 at 11:25 pm

Our condolences go out to Patti and the family John and Patti created together. John was always a gentleman and a big smile when you greeted him.
We are so sorry for Patti and the family for their loss. He is gone from here, he is a much better place.
Rest in peace.
Ron and Louisa Allen
Denair, CA.
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Sharon Rochí says
October 8, 2020 at 9:44 pm

I never minded when I had computer issues at work because I always knew John would have the answer. He would come down stairs to my little work station and inevitably ask, “Do you mind if I drive?” And always I would say, “Would you please!” I’d pass him the mouse and in record time my problem would be solved, aways learning something in the process. I’d call him a miracle worker and then he would pull out his phone and share pictures and videos of his grandchildren and beam as he told me stories of the ones he loved so dearly. Two of my favorite videos (which John shared multiple times) were of sweet Travis zipping down a forrest trail on his bike with his dad and the sound of sheer delight bellowing from that little guy…oh my goodness, it made John and I both laugh every time. And then the video of Emmerson singing her little heart out to a favorite hymn, what a doll! I will miss talking with him about our families. I look forward to the day when I see him again. I am so thankful for hope we have in Jesus, until then John.
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Sariah Callau says
October 8, 2020 at 3:57 pm

Uncle John, I honestly can’t even express how much I miss you. I still can’t believe it, I might be in a dream right now…
I will forever remember how kind you were to me, I always felt like your granddaughter. I remember how you used to push me on the rope swing as long as I wanted (even if you were tired). I also think back on how you used to play LEGO’s with me whenever I came over. You will FOREVER be one of my most favorite people. I miss you soooooooo much, I know you’re in a way better place, though I still want you to be here with me and our family. I love you! ❤️
– Sariah
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Joe Lecznar says
October 8, 2020 at 12:57 pm

Do sorry for your loss. Know Caryl and I will keep your family in our prayers. Eternal rest.
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Kristin Toste says
October 8, 2020 at 6:19 am

Uncle John, I miss you so much already! It doesn’t seem real that I am even writing this. I’m going to miss your kind words of encouragement when life got hard. Your compassion when I was feeling heartache. Your helpful hand at home or in my yard whenever I called. My children will miss you being their second Grandpa/ babysitter whenever I needed you. But most of all I will miss your big bear hugs and you telling me you loved me every time I saw you. I know you are in a better place but I wish you were still here with us. I love you Uncle John!
❤️Kristin
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Jillian Hubbel says
October 8, 2020 at 3:45 am

John, how lucky am I to have been your friend. I cannot wrap my head around this. You truly exemplified Jesus and his love. I will always cherish you and your impact on my life and my spirituality. Brother, you are loved and missed.
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Peter Lindskoog says
October 8, 2020 at 3:43 am

Any time we spent the night at the Greer house we knew it came with a price 🙂 We’d be roused from our slumber way too early for a Saturday and get to work helping with whatever weekend project Big John had lined up. I cherish those memories and am thankful for the lessons in hard work, dedication and sacrifice that were reinforced by John in the many many occasions I spent time at their house. He was a spare Dad. Another godly father figure who stood quiet and strong in a special corner of my life over there on Lester Rd. I knew he was FOR me, as he was for so many other people. I’ll miss him for now, but it’ll be great to see him again. Not on Lester Rd but a much shinier street. See ya soon Big John.
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Bob Church says
October 8, 2020 at 3:34 am

I will miss you, John. We never had the chance to spend a lot of time together and that was my loss. I will miss you until we meet again, and will keep you in the light and thoughts until then.
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Gabby says
October 8, 2020 at 3:32 am

John, was always very friendly and welcoming to me and my kids. He always welcomed me with a hug and made an effort to get to me and my kids. I will always remember him as a sweet and friendly man. My heart aches for his loss, my kids and I will always remember him as a nice and friendly man. I will always be great full for meeting him and being part of his family.
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Ann (Dolly) Church says
October 8, 2020 at 3:23 am

John was one of many of my siblings but as my father always said when someone commented on his many children, “I have many, but I don’t have any extra!”. That John will be missed is beyond my ability to express.