Gary Arnold Greenough
Here are some memories I shared about my Granddad at his memorial service--the same day as his 86th birthday.
My Granddad, Gary Greenough, was born 86 years ago today.
He escaped a tumultuous childhood in Mississippi, full of abuse and heartache, and he found stability in the Marines. After his military service, Gary returned back down South and cultivated his own family–the family of which I am a part.
My name is Alex Shirley, I am Gary and Fran’s oldest grandchild. Gary married Fran, whom I call Grammy, and they settled here in Mobile. They had 4 daughters, the 2nd of which is my mom, Kim. I am blessed to be here today with my parents–Kim & Brad, and my 4 siblings Will, Max, Cade, & Meg, as well as my wife, Courtney.
I’m from Oklahoma City, it’s both where I was born and where I still call home today. I’ve driven the full-day trek from OKC to Mobile countless times. In my youth, my family visited multiple times a year, and we were always met by the Grammy & Granddad Welcome Party. Standing in his driveway, waving hello, and ready to tell us (and retell us) a million stories.
Gary loved sharing Alabama with his family; he never shut up about it. Many of you here today have been subjected to a Gary Greenough speech whether voluntarily or otherwise. You know he was a talker. He recounted experiences in the Marines; how he enlisted well before age 18; how he formed a chosen family among similar latchkey souls; how he and his fellow servicemen stole a chicken and cooked it in a helmet. He tirelessly recounted his time as Mayor of Mobile and his revelations while incarcerated. There is no doubt in my mind that even now Gary is chattering away to anyone and everyone in earshot.
My very best friends in the world remember Gary, too. At my wedding rehearsal dinner, guess who gave the longest toast. And guess whose toast mentioned Andrew Jackson, the Trail of Tears, and the proud unconquered Seminole. And guess who finished his toast with a Semper Fi.
I remember muggy summer days when Gary took me golfing. As a young child, I thought it was so cool that Gary was always stocked with Winterfresh gum. That bright shade of neon baby blue and the icy flavor was delicious as we tramped down a fairway. Little did I know that Gary was in the throes of kicking a nicotine addiction. If you’re struggling to quit, try golfing and Winterfresh.
I’m thankful for Gary. He was a joyful soul who was not ashamed to be silly with his family. He’d break into a nonsensical jibberish to make his many grandchildren laugh, and he was not shy to sing a song if his heart told him to sing. Despite being an elite chatterbox, Gary was also good at making people feel seen. Every year, he and Grammy call on birthdays and as soon as you answer the phone, those silly Greenoughs sing “happy birthday” with gusto.
This past November, our entire family spent Thanksgiving together in Gulf Shores with Gary and Fran. Like always, Gary had tales to tell and snacks to sneak when his daughters weren’t shooing him out of the kitchen. I’m so glad it was not the first time we all got together for a beachside Thanksgiving. There were crisp November evenings on the Alabama coast when the crashing waves almost drowned out Gary’s rambling. It was a wonderful time this past Thanksgiving. Kelly and all of the Brights were there. Kim and all us Shirleys were there. Christina and all of the Baxleys were there. Catherine and all of the Zebroskys were there. It was a priceless memory we’ll share forever.
On a similar Gulf Shores Thanksgiving years ago, Gary wanted to take Courtney, Fran, and me to a seafood meal. We thought it was just a quick trip to grab lunch. Nope. Courtney and I inadvertently committed to a Gary Greenough expedition that lasted hours. The fool that I was, I should have recognized Gary in tour-guide-mode taking us on a comprehensive tour of Mobile before we earned crab claws and oysters. Because she was such a good sport, I’m 99% sure that was the day Gary started liking Courtney more than me.
My most recent memory of Gary is a great one:
I’m grateful to have known Gary for so many decades. And I’m grateful he got to meet his great-grandchildren. Courtney and I have 2 kids–Gary’s only 2 great-grandchildren so far–(Ryan and Jackson)–and unfortunately they could not join us here today. But a few weeks ago when Gary and I spoke, my 4-year-old Jackson saw Gary’s face on my phone screen and exclaimed “GRANDDAD!” My kids only knew Gary for a little while, but they love him. I was blessed to know him for decades, and I love him too.
Happy Birthday, Granddad
