September 11, 1935 - April 25, 2024
Robert “Bob” Leland Greenhaw, 88, of Enid, Oklahoma, passed away April 25th, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City. Bob was born September 11,1935, in Duncan, Oklahoma, the son of Lelia (Moss) and William R. Greenhaw. He was an All-American football player at Duncan High School, graduating in 1954. Bob was a three-year letterman at Oklahoma A&M University while earning a BS in Secondary Education and serving in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Bob earned a Master of Education degree from Phillips University in 1967.
While at Oklahoma A&M, Bob met Joyce Barber, who became Mrs. Robert Greenhaw after graduation in 1958. Bob was commissioned as an officer in the US Army in 1958 and served on active duty for two years. Bob and Joyce then moved to Enid, Oklahoma where he was hired as a Physical Education Instructor and Head Football Coach at Waller Junior High. A few years later Bob was hired as an Assistant Coach at Enid High School and then promoted to Head Coach. He continued as a PE instructor and coach until he served as the EHS Athletic Director up to his retirement in 1992. Bob also served many years in the Oklahoma National Guard, retiring as a Field Artillery Colonel.
At Central Christian Church, where Bob and Joyce became members in 1961, he served as a Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Evangelism Committee, and Elder. Upon retirement, Coach Greenhaw didn’t cease to work - he was an active member of Gideons International and served as the leader of the Gideons’ Prison Ministry. He also remained active in The Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Bob may have been an accomplished athlete and Coach, but he was an equally talented artist. He enjoyed sketching and painting, but found his artistic passion in wood carving. His beautiful intricate carvings of birds, animals, people - and his beloved Pistol Pete - number over 400 pieces. Many of them found their way to charitable auctions and were given as gifts and tokens of affection to family members and friends who will treasure them just as they felt treasured by Bob.
Bob loved his family and they never questioned his love because he lavished it on them - through his words and in his actions. His nine grandchildren and growing number of great-grandchildren fondly remember time spent playing cards, working in his wood shop, camping, fishing, painting ornaments and pumpkins, talking, and laughing. He is treasured by his former athletes, colleagues, college and church friends. Bob’s extended family members loved his welcoming hugs and big smiles - and his organizational skills in efficiently planning countless reunions.
Remaining to cherish Bob/Dad/Papa/PapaGreat’s memory are his wife, Joyce Greenhaw; son Joe (Shannon) Greenhaw, son Jon (Amy) Greenhaw, and daughter Ann (James) Porterfield. His nine grandchildren: Reilly (Andrew) Bowers, Kathryn (Michael) Hays, Will (Hayden) Greenhaw, Abby (Jimmy) Kaczmarek, Carly (Garrett) Wilson, Sarah Porterfield, Zach Porterfield, Hannah Porterfield, and John Porterfield. His great Grandchildren: Emmerson, Callaway, Everly, and Fiona Bowers; Hudson, Layla, and Ford Hays; Jesse and Ellie Kaczmarek; and Theo Greenhaw.
Bob is also survived by his older sister, Nanalou Martin, numerous nieces and nephews plus their families.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, May 4th at Central Christian Church, 1111 West Broadway, Enid, Oklahoma 73703. A reception will follow in CCC’s Fellowship Hall. The service will be livestreamed YouTube at CentralChristianChurchEnidOK.
Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors. Memorial donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Central Christian Church, Gideons International, or the Enid Public School Foundation through Anderson Burris Funeral Home.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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