Harry Gordon Greek Jr., 71, of Smithville, Tennessee, died peacefully at his son’s home in Cookeville, Tennessee, on September 28, 2024. His loving spirit is carried on by his wife, Annette Greek; his sister, Theresa (Butch) Tindell; his son, Joseph (Erin) Greek; his granddaughter, Madeline; his mother-in-law, Gail Webb; his sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews; and countless friends and loved ones. Preceding him in peace were his parents, Harry and Kathleen Greek, and his sister, Claudia Belt.
Harry was born to Harry Gordon Greek Sr. and Kathleen L. Jones on November 6, 1952, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was a talented musician and songwriter, starting out as a drummer in high school when he helped form a small band called The Blades of Grass. Music was a consistent thread throughout Harry’s life, as he later learned to play the guitar and eventually the dobro. In his later years, Harry was a member of The Gather Round Boys, where he played the dobro, sang, and wrote several songs. Every Fourth of July weekend, he could be found on the square at the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree, playing bluegrass music with friends.
Not only was Harry musically gifted, but he was also a skilled craftsman. He built and carved his first cedar chest as a high school student, and his passion for woodworking followed him throughout his life. He hand-carved, designed, and created many beautiful pieces of furniture, and his family fondly remembers him always being in the middle of a woodworking project in his garage.
In the last couple of years, Harry devoted himself to learning about operating his own backyard sawmill, a passion that brought him great joy. Even in his final days, he watched video tutorials on sawmills. His retirement dream was to create and build woodworking projects from logs that he sawed himself.
As much as he loved his sawmill, Harry loved and cared for his family most of all. Memories of him relaxing by the pool with Annette, having coffee with his mother-in-law every weekend, dressing up in his hilarious Halloween costumes, playing Hand and Foot around the card table, fishing by the back pond, and countless other moments are forever embedded in the minds and hearts of those who knew him.
Harry will also be remembered for his hardworking nature. For many years, he owned and operated his own machine shop, Precision Ground Tooling and Machining, in Smithville, Tennessee. Until May 2024, he worked as a machinist and designer at Pack Manufacturing in McMinnville, Tennessee.
In late April 2024, Harry was diagnosed with ALS. Despite the diagnosis, he never lost his sense of humor or his ability to make others smile. His laugh, smile, and air-kisses will be sorely missed.
Harry was a dedicated Christian who enjoyed singing in the choir and spending time with his church family. He was an active and cherished member of Smithville Christian Fellowship Church.
To honor Harry’s memory, a service will be held at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in Smithville, on Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 12:00 pm to service time at 2:00pm.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the Shriners Children’s Fund (donate.lovetotherescue.org).
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Smithville, is in charge of the arrangements.
