Leonard Greenwood Obituary

WILLIAMSBURG - Leonard 'Len' Lawrence Greenwood, 74, suddenly passed away on Feb. 18, 2003. He was born in Mount Ephrim, N.J., on Feb. 27, 1928, to the late Charolette McCrea and William A. Greenwood. Len graduated from Haddon Heights High School in 1947. He attended Fork Union Military Academy and Elon College until he was a member of the U.S. Air Force between 1952 and 1956. He married Althea Kettelle on Oct. 10, 1953. After he finished his military service, he completed his college education at Elon College and East Carolina University where he received his masters of business degree. He actively participated in track and football during his high school, college and military years. He began his teaching and coaching career at Maury High School in the city of Norfolk from 1958 to 1970. He taught and coached at Booker T. Washington High School in the city of Norfolk from 1970 to 1972. He also coached at Bayside High School in Virginia Beach from 1972 to 1979. He finished his career teaching from 1980 to 1988 and went on to design and build his retirement home in Williamsburg in 1989. Coach 'Greenie' Greenwood won the prestigious Outstanding Coach of the Year award in Virginia Beach in 1976 for his passionate coaching efforts in cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track. Greenie was considered the Dean of Eastern Track Coaches. Including his years at Booker T. Washington and Maury High schools in the City of Norfolk, his teams won over 90 percent of their contests with other schools. Greenie's cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track teams won multiple District and Regional Championships. His record setting coaching efforts culminated in Bayside High School's indoor track team winning the State Championship. Coach Greenwood's track teams never lost a dual meet during his coaching career at Bayside, and his cross-country teams won 38 consecutive meets. More importantly, Greenie was responsible for aiding 64 athletes with college scholarships. Len was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, James Greenwood and William A. Greenwood Jr. Those who cherish his memory are his wife, Althea Kettelle Greenwood; his 'all girl basketball team' family of daughters, Sharon Lynne Bennett of Chesapeake, Va., Laura Lynne Gossner of Williamsburg, Va., Lasinda Lee Lee of Dublin, Ohio, Leslie Louise Douglas of Gates County, N.C., and Lisa Lenette Papson of Midlothian, Va.; along with nine grandchildren. Also, 15 grandanimals. Len requested no services to be held. Private arrangements are being handled by Colonial Crematorium Inc. of Norfolk, Va. Burial arrangements are pending the opening of the Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to your favorite charity or high school athletic fund.