Obituary Douglas "Doug" Marvin Greene Dateline; Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Douglas "Doug" Marvin Greene, age 82, of Spruce Pine passed away on June 2, 2016, due to complications of congestive heart failure and dementia.  After serving in the United States Air force, he attended East Tennessee StateUniversity where he received his BS teaching degree in education in 1956 before returning to his native and lifetime residence in Mitchell County, North Carolina. His main focus in life for more than 33 years was to serve school children in theMitchell County, communities of Glen Ayre (Glen Ayre Elementary), Bakersville (Bowman High School), Spruce Pine (Harris High School), and Ledger (MitchellHigh School). During the first twenty one years of his career he was a Health Education Teacher, Athletic Director, Principle, and coached football (his favorite sport), basketball and started new sport programs in Wrestling, Track, Volleyball, and Golf. Doug Greene played a key role by providing leadership and a determined commitment of long personal hours in the development and construction of all three football stadiums in the county that still exist today.

After returning to college at Western Carolina University to get his masters degree and a degree in administration he served as Superintendent of Mitchell County Schools for twelve years. Doug also served as Director and was one of the original organizers of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. After retirement from the Mitchell County School System in 1993, he owned and operated Greene Insurance in Spruce Pine until 2004.

Some of his lifetime accomplishments and honors are noted as follows: won 8 straight Appalachian/Blue Ridge Football Conference Championships (54 games) at Harris High School from 1965 to 1972,  runner up in the state football playoffs twice, accumulating a career record of 117-76-7, Honorary Coach: 1975 NC High School East/West game in Greensboro, Recognized in 1990 for his contributions to high school athletics in region eight as the Superintendent of Mitchell County Schools, 2006 Mayland Community College "Citizen of the Year", and Kiwanis Club of Spruce Pine member and Past President.

He was the son of the late Townzle G. and Marvalene L. Greene of Bakersville,N.C.  He was also preceded in death by a brother, Charles E. Greene of Cary, N.C, and a sister, Gale E. Tyndall of Dunn, N.C.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Pat Greene; two sons, Randy Greene and wife, Dianne, of Raleigh, NC and Dirk Greene and wife, Maritza of Isabella, Puerto Rico. Five grandchildren, Douglas Greene and wife Emily, of Raleigh, NC, Nathan Greene, of Charlotte, NC, Logan Greene and wife Norlyn of   San Diego, CA, M. Duran Greene and wife Laura of Cary, NC , and Brittany Greene Carey and husband Steven of Minot ND.   Four Great grandchildren are MarkThomas Greene, Noah Carey, Grace Ann Greene, and Lucas Carey. Surviving sisters are Mary Sue Coupe of Lincoln, NE, and Barbara G. Robinson of Nebo, NC.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, June 7, 2016, in the First Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, N.C. (Mr. Greene's home church) with  Rev. Steve Gouge and Dr. Rocky Branch officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm (prior to the funeral service) at First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are to be made in memory of Mr. Greene to Mitchell High School Football Program c/o Mitchell County Schools, 72 Ledger School Road, Bakersville, N.C. 28705.

Henline – Hughes Funeral Home, Bakersville, NC is assisting the Greene Family.