Ernie Leroy Greening

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Visitation Schedule
North Arkansas College Center Campus
Durand Center
Harrison, AR  72601
Saturday, January 16, 2016
1:00 to 2:00 PM
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
North Arkansas College Center Campus
Durand Center
Harrison, AR  72601
Saturday, January 16, 2016
2:00 PM
Cemetery
Kansas Veterans Cemetery
5181 Wild Creek Road
Manhattan, KS  66502
Memorial Contributions
Hospice of the Hills
825 N. Spring Street
PO Box 1927
Harrison, AR  72601
Ernie Leroy GreeningI am a Veteran.

of Harrison, AR

June 8, 1937 - January 12, 2016

Ernie Leroy Greening, of Harrison, Arkansas, formerly of Dickinson County, Kansas, died Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at age 78, at Hospice of the Hills House in Harrison after a 25 year battle with Parkinson's disease. Ernie, who was born in Stoutsville, Missouri June 8, 1937, finished high school in 1955 and immediately began his career in the U.S. Army that same year.

Ernie went on to serve 28 years in the military, retiring as a chief warrant officer (CW4). During his service, he was assigned to 2 tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and was decorated 64 times. Ernie completed 6290 hours in rotary wing aircraft and 2133 hours in fixed wing aircraft during his military career. To commemorate his service in Vietnam, a toy company called Corgi created a die-cast model helicopter to replicate Ernie's UH-1C Huey Gunship, 227th AHB as part of its Unsung Heroes collection. He retired from the Army in 1985 and moved his family to Arkansas, where he could continue to fly airplanes.

In Harrison, Ernie was an adult probation officer for 10 years and worked for Boone, Newton, and Marion counties. In his retirement he enjoyed hunting, especially with his mules, and getting on the computer to share his military stories and find his Vietnam friends.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Emmet and LaFern; his brother, Lowell; his first wife, Karin, and his eldest son, George. Ernie is survived by his wife Kris; his sisters, Cleva Lew (George) Roth and Cheryl Davidson; his brother, Dewayne (Anita) Greening; his children, Heidi (Erik) Anderson, Tom (Lisa) Greening, Erin (Thomas) Tabor and Rebekah (Eddie) Powell; his grandchildren, Jamie, Brandi, Gunnar, Hanna, Karina, Connor, Parker, Ethan, Emma, and Elin; and his great-grandchildren, Kamryn, Karson, Nadia, Zane, Tate, and Dayson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Hills, PO Box 1927, Harrison, AR 72602, or Branson Bible Church where he was a member.

Memorial service was Saturday, January 16, 2016, in the North Arkansas College Center Campus Durand Center. There was an informal gathering one hour before the memorial service to view photos and visit with friends and family.

Full military honor burial was at Kansas Veterans Cemetery, 5181 Wild Creek Road, Manhattan, Kansas.

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20 Condolence(s)
Richard H Gauntt
Ronceverte, WV
Liked
Tuesday, August 9, 2022

My time with Ernie was prior Vietnam when we MPs with the 382nd in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. He was one of those people you never forget. Many a story I could tell about the events we were evolved in together. He is missed but not forgotten.

Daryl kendrick
Bloomfield, IA
Liked
Monday, January 18, 2016

I remember Ernie well when he taught auto mechanics at Chapman, he made it a blast. I have some good memories of Ernie as well as George. One is just of a bunch of us boys standing around Ernie's brand new pickup just talking. The first four door dually I ever saw. George was just like Ernie. May God bless the family.

Donna Copeland
Harrison, AR
Liked
Monday, January 18, 2016

Kris, I was sorry to learn of Ernie's passing. I recall some of his wonderful stories and wish I could have heard more of them. He is respected by many and appreciated for contributions he made during his lifetime. Prayers go out to you and your families.

Jeff Nygaard
Surprise, AZ
Liked
Monday, January 18, 2016

It has been my priviledge to meet and serve with many great men and heroes from Viet Nam. However, one of my greatest pleasures was serving and working with a truly epic hero, Ernie Greening. He was not only a brave war hero but also a community hero and a family hero. Ernie's legacy will live on forever in the hearts and minds of the individual lives he touched and influenced. My prayers and condolences to the family.

Wendy Wolford Sachs
, AZ
Liked
Sunday, January 17, 2016

RIP Ernie, you were the best softball coach and will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends today.

Emily
Sheldon,
Liked
Saturday, January 16, 2016

My love and prayers to his dear family and friends. Praying for you all.

Emily
Sheldon,
Liked
Saturday, January 16, 2016

My love and prayers to his dear family and friends. Praying for you all.

Ron heller
Abilene, KS
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2016

To the whole Greening family , I want to offer my condolences . Ernie was a great man and a true American hero , I feel honored to have known him and to be a friend of his family .
Sincerely ,

Ron Heller

Joe Winters
Fountain Hills, AZ
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2016

Ernie, you were the craziest person I ever had the privilege to serve with. You, Jim Harris and I spent time at 12thCombat Aviation Group in RVN in 1969 and 1970. I will never forget when a rocket came into our compound you would jump on your old motorcycle with your rifle strapped across your back and your pistol on your belt and after shooting a back azmuth on that rocket would head out by yourself to try to find those VC who did that dastardly deed. You were indeed one of a kind and if was a pleasure serving with you. See you on the other side my friend, we will share a few beers and tell old war lies.
RIP

JAMES HARRIS
Naples, FL
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2016

Seldom in life do you encounter such a grand person as Ernie. We served together in combat. In addition to the valor, dedication, ingenuity, and highly refined skills he possessed, was the unique manner in which like no other person I have known, he was loved and respected by the common soldiers, as well as the commanders and general officers with whom he served. A common thread among those of us who served with him was the always the first question when we reconnected: 'have you heard from Ernie?". Godspeed, Ernie....and as always, keep the blue side up !

Jeannie Steen Maples
Mountain Home,
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2016

My prayers are with all of Ernie's family. When Ernie was working in the probation office, we always enjoyed working with him in the circuit clerk's office. He was a great guy!

William Schroder
Seattle, WA
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2016

Ernie Greening, my friend and roommate in Vietnam, was one of the great men of this nation. My hope is his family and loved ones will find comfort in knowing what a truly extraordinary individual he was. Ernie personified the spirit of American exceptionalism. Open minded, tolerant, curious, creative, ingenious and most of all immeasurably brave, Ernie was in the very front row of this nation's heroes, and I will be forever proud to call him friend.

Patricia E. (Hearing) Raynard
Harrison, AR
Liked
Thursday, January 14, 2016

Ernie was the first probation officer I ever had in my life,Honestly I was very skeptical and really fearing inside I had not ever been in trouble with the law before I was a first time offender Ernie reassured me and made me see hoe confident I could be my esteem changed and he let me see that in myself not a Greater Hero came into my life Besides Jesus Christ than that of which Ernie was today I walk steadfast with my head high and shoulders back because Of Ernie he was a firm but fair man and everything a girl wanted to see in her Dad Ernie I am going to miss you and I am eternally grateful to all you helped me pursue in life ..I know you were not my biological Dad but you filled his shoes for me when he was missing from my life and in a time when I needed a Dad at 40 years of age you were there for me.May you rest in Peace Sir Your works here on earth did not go in vain I went on and pursued a Doctorate in Fine Arts/Literary Sciences and I Thank-You for your encouragement daily ..To One of The Greatest men that ever was a part of my making and a fine Hero of Valor and honor in my eyes...

Marie Lewandowski
Center, MO
Liked
Thursday, January 14, 2016

My condolences to the entire family. Leroy was a special person. I am glad I got to meet him. Fly high.

Angela Haiducek
SAINT LOUIS, MO
Liked
Thursday, January 14, 2016

My condolences to Kris, Rebekah, Erin, Heidi and Tom along with, Cleva Lew, Cheryl and DeWayne and all of Leroy's family. I remember him being so lively and colorful at the family reunions, from his attire to his business cards and the fact that he loved to fly everywhere. He is now at peace and may peace be over all of you.

Beth Mock
Ft Collins,
Liked
Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Kris, I am so sorry for your loss! Ernie is at peace now and flying again!!!

Laura and Steve Seymour
salina,
Liked
Wednesday, January 13, 2016

To All the Greening family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We always admired Ernie and his sense if adventure. Blessings to you all!
Steve and Laura Seymour

Lois Olivas
Perry, MO
Liked
Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Leroy will be sorely missed. He was a special cousin & a wonderful person. My condolences to Kris & all the family.

Dedra Sharp Murray
Lawrenceville,
Liked
Wednesday, January 13, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of Leroy's passing. I have great memories of him and his kids at the family reunions. God bless all of you. Hugs and prayers.
Love
Dedra

Jane Carder
Harrison, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Kris and family - I am so sorry to hear of Ernie's passing. Our prayers are with your family in this time of sorrow.