Tommy Greenhill
December 31, 1969 — January 25, 2024
Tommy Lee Greenhill, 77, of Hickory passed away January 25, 2024. Son of the late Shirley Lee Greenhill and Ella Sue Sloop Greenhill, he was born on January 23, 1947, in Catawba county.
He graduated from Fred T. Foard High School in 1965 and married his high school sweetheart Patty in 1966. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy. As a Navy Seabee Tommy was stationed in Davisville, Rhode Island. He served two tours of Operation Deep Freeze of Antarctic support activities in the South Pole. As an equipment operator his job involved long hours of work under the most severe weather conditions to provide the final link in the Navy’s 12,000-mile logistic supply line, spanning land, sea, and the ice pack. He was an ice-road trucker before the phrase was coined. Tommy was honorably discharged in 1968 and continued his education at Caldwell Community College while working full time. Tommy retired from United Parcel Service after 34 years. He was inducted into the UPS Circle of Honor where he was honored for demonstrating professional driving skills and achieving 30+ years of safe driving. Tommy was also honored by Mack Trucks by inducting him to the Two-Million Mile Club which is the equivalent of driving around the world 80 times.
Upon retirement, Tommy enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, attending classic car shows and working outside. He enjoyed the freedom to travel with his wife to visit their daughter in California and son in Michigan. Tommy took great pride and excitement in becoming grandpa to his grandson Henry. Tommy’s goodwill and witty humor was experienced by anyone that knew him and chances are he shared a story or picture of his grandson Henry with them. A truly beloved husband, father, brother, and grandpa will be greatly missed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter Addison Leah Greenhill.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 57 years, Patty Seitz Greenhill, daughter Dana Greenhill, son Jason Greenhill wife Sarah and grandson Henry, brother Rick Greenhill and wife Judy and many family members and friends.
A private family burial will be at Western Carolina State Veterans cemetery in Black Mountain, NC. Memorials may be made to New Jerusalem Lutheran church, 2120 Startown Road, Hickory, NC. 28602, where Tommy was a member.
No matter where I am, your spirit will be beside me. For I know that no matter what, you will always be with me.
He graduated from Fred T. Foard High School in 1965 and married his high school sweetheart Patty in 1966. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy. As a Navy Seabee Tommy was stationed in Davisville, Rhode Island. He served two tours of Operation Deep Freeze of Antarctic support activities in the South Pole. As an equipment operator his job involved long hours of work under the most severe weather conditions to provide the final link in the Navy’s 12,000-mile logistic supply line, spanning land, sea, and the ice pack. He was an ice-road trucker before the phrase was coined. Tommy was honorably discharged in 1968 and continued his education at Caldwell Community College while working full time. Tommy retired from United Parcel Service after 34 years. He was inducted into the UPS Circle of Honor where he was honored for demonstrating professional driving skills and achieving 30+ years of safe driving. Tommy was also honored by Mack Trucks by inducting him to the Two-Million Mile Club which is the equivalent of driving around the world 80 times.
Upon retirement, Tommy enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, attending classic car shows and working outside. He enjoyed the freedom to travel with his wife to visit their daughter in California and son in Michigan. Tommy took great pride and excitement in becoming grandpa to his grandson Henry. Tommy’s goodwill and witty humor was experienced by anyone that knew him and chances are he shared a story or picture of his grandson Henry with them. A truly beloved husband, father, brother, and grandpa will be greatly missed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter Addison Leah Greenhill.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 57 years, Patty Seitz Greenhill, daughter Dana Greenhill, son Jason Greenhill wife Sarah and grandson Henry, brother Rick Greenhill and wife Judy and many family members and friends.
A private family burial will be at Western Carolina State Veterans cemetery in Black Mountain, NC. Memorials may be made to New Jerusalem Lutheran church, 2120 Startown Road, Hickory, NC. 28602, where Tommy was a member.
No matter where I am, your spirit will be beside me. For I know that no matter what, you will always be with me.
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