Edward C. Greer

It is with tremendous sadness we announce the passing of Edward Coy Greer, July 1, 2022. Ed was born May 27, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Woodrow W. Greer of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and the late Emily R., of Brooklyn, New York. Extremely proud of his New York roots and deep love for family, Ed was raised with his older brother Bobby, and his Austrian mother’s entire extended family, and parents.

Ed was the grandest of adventurers. At the age of seventeen, and with written permission from his mother, he joined the United States Navy and served as an Electrician’s Mate. While he didn’t like being on a ship, Ed found his true passion when he joined the United States Army and became an aviation mechanic. Over the next fifty-year, Ed dedicated his life’s work to aviation and especially to helicopters.

During his service in the Military, Ed toured the world, where he formed a true appreciation for traveling and other cultures. He served in South Korea, Bolivia, Peru, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and at one point he supported the search for the infamous Ernesto “Che” Guevara. Early in his Army career, he was sent to Panama to help with the US Government’s response to the 1964 Canal riots. While stationed in Panama, Ed found his true love. Eduardo, as his wife Diana of fifty-six years called him, met on a blind date and saw the movie “A Hard Days Night.” After that, Ed was head over heels and they were married in September 1965. They shared the language of love, but he taught her English and she taught him Spanish, together they traveled to all fifty states, Mexico, Germany, The United Kingdom, France, and Italy; and raised four wonderful children, Lyana (Joseph Osborn), Edward (Suzie Simmons), Frank (Leeta Garcia), and Darryl (Amanda Perez)-- it was always a grand adventure.

Ed was a true family-man and worked very hard to support his family. After serving 17 years in the Army, Ed retired as an SFC in 1979. Ed worked various jobs, including working for FBI Aviation supporting the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In 1985, Ed accepted a job with the Federal Aviation Administration and he continued to travel, mostly in the USA, but supported special FAA projects taking him to Europe, Greece, and Mexico. He retired again after working for 20 years with the FAA and the aviation he loved. After retirement, Ed didn’t slow down, he continued to travel and went on cruises to incredible places like China, Alaska, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and more with his wife. He also started his own Aviation Business, “GO Safely.” He sacrificed everything he could to build a better life for his wife and children. In 2010, he was the recipient of the prestigious FAA Charles Taylor “Master Mechanic” Award for 50 years of aviation safety.

Ed loved life. Among his many hobbies, he loved baseball, tending to his garden, fishing, hunting, traveling, trying exotic foods, eating, playing scrabble, watching the SyFy Channel, collecting coins, model airplanes and helicopters, and tinkering on his computers. He loved spending time with his family, the Annual San Antonio Folklife Festival, and Karaoke. His favorite songs to karaoke were, “Sixteen Tons,” “Paloma Blanca,” and “El Paso.” Nothing made him happier than dancing with the love of his life, Diana. He loved all his canine friends, especially Fifi. He truly believed that you can do anything you put your mind to, which is why at the age of 58, he went skydiving for his son’s Bachelor Party. Ed was fearless and he really loved pizza.

Ed loved God. He was a member of St. Helena’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, who he volunteered for on bingo nights, and was an avid volunteer at Raul Jiminez Thanksgiving dinners, Texas Institute of Culture, the San Antonio Airport USO, and with the Volunteer Airport Policing Program. Ed believed in service and was extremely proud to be an American, and a Vietnam Veteran.

Lovingly known as “Liko” to his Grandchildren, Sarah (Forrest Miller) and Josef Osborn; Brennen, Delaney, and Kayleigh Greer; Anderson Greer; and Mateo, and Elena Greer, Liko deeply loved and was proud of each one, he was deeply loved by them of all and is greatly missed.

Ed miraculously survived a near-fatal head injury seven years ago and his family is beyond blessed to have the borrowed time with him since this accident. He is survived by his wife, all four children, their spouses, eight grandchildren, his brother Bobby (Judy), three nieces, Jennifer, Holly, and Rebecca, and their families.

The family wishes to thank the many caregivers, especially Kerrville VA Medical Center, Hero’s Haven, and Amedisys Hospice, who supported him in these last years and weeks, and in lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Ed’s memory to St Judes Children’s Hospital.

He will be missed beyond measure.

A visitation for Edward will be held Sunday, August 7, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232, with a rosary from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, August 8, 2022 from 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 20523 Huebner Road, San Antonio, TX 78258. A committal service will occur Monday, August 8, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78234.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Greer family.