Gerald Greer Greenwell

Gerald Greer Greenwell 85, passed away on Sun. Feb. 16, 2014. He was born at the family home in Paul, Idaho on December 20, 1928 to Richard C. Greenwell and Lucile Quintella Greer. He attended school, grades 1 through 4 or 5, near the family farm in a two room school house. The family moved to Rupert for two years where they continued to farm hay, grain, and potatoes. The family moved again west of Paul and continued farming. The family moved to Ely, NV where Gerald attended 7th and 8th grade. His father and mother ran a grocery store, Pic & Pak Market, along with Gerald's Uncle, Derlin Greenwell. The family moved to Compton, CA. where his father & mother worked for Cal- Ships (CA- Ship yards). Gerald attended 9th & 10th grades in Willowbrook, CA. where he was already way advanced in schooling from NV. And ID., so those grades were a snap. When he was sixteen, he joined the Merchant Marines. He had applied at age fifteen but he was too young. He sailed for Pacific Tankers on the Pacific Ocean touching many islands hauling gasoline. He sailed through the Panama Canal to Venezuela and Los Padros, taking on Gasoline. His ship got half way across the Atlantic, bound for La Harve, France, when bearings out of the shaft burned up. Turned about, now bound for New York. The sailors got paid off the ship and chartered a bus back to Los Angeles. Gerald went to Galveston, TX trying to get on another ship, but shipping was very slow. He went back to Rupert, ID as the family had moved back to farm again. His father and mother moved to Caldwell, ID where his father worked for Union Pacific Railroad. Gerald went with them. He then joined the Army, going to the Marshall Islands doing atomic tests and worked as a cat skinner (Bull Dozer Operator). X-Ray, Zebra, and Yoke were the names of the three nuclear bombs. Gerald saw all three bombs set off. The operation was called Sandstone Point Seven. The bombs he witnessed were on Aman, Renick Island, and Bjuri Island. No one could stay on the islands for you would be incinerated. He was on the ship, "Pick Away", during the blasts, ending up on Eniwe Tok Island for a time in the Marshall Islands. After his Army service, he married Betty Townsley and worked in Ely, NV as a Railroad Fireman on the train and later went to work in the Kolinsky Mine. Son, Steven Greenwell was born when they lived in Ely, NV. Roger was born while living in Caldwell, ID Sheryl and Jerrilyn were born in Pocatello, ID. Gerald married Raey Barney after he and Betty divorced. They were married a short time and then divorced. Gerald married Annie Chapman, they were married for fifteen years, then divorced, but remained friends. Gerald went to work for Garret Freight Lines, as an over the road driver, for 35 years without a chargeable accident. He retired from Garret's in 1990. Gerald is the oldest of five brothers, then Larry, Neil, Kent, and Gary, and half-sister, Joan Johnson. Gerald was an avid pilot and loved to fly. He loved riding Harley Davidson's and traveled many road trips in the U.S. and Canada. He was a member of The Elk's Lodge #674 in Pocatello, ID for 40 years and contributed much service and financial contributions to various Elk functions. He and Carol enjoyed many trips to Oregon and Arizona and two great trips to Mazatlan, MX with family and friends. Gerald passed away early Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, in the loving arms of his girl, Carol Luddy. He was 85. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, son, Roger, brothers, Neil and Kent. He is survived by son, Steven (Heidi) Greenwell; daughter, Sheryl (Larry) Allen, and daughter, Jerrilyn (Rod) Moyes. Brothers Larry (Yaeko) Greenwell, and Gary (Barbara) Greenwell. He is also survived by 7 Grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A special thanks to Encompass Home Health and Hospice and to Maag Drug for their loving care. A funeral service will be held for Gerald on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 2 pm at Colonial Funeral Home 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello 208-233-1500. Family will receive friends for 1 hour prior to the services at Colonial Funeral Home. Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery with Military honors by the Pocatello Veteran Honor Guard.