Obituary of Tom Greenawalt

Tom Greenawalt, 88, of Melbourne, FL died peacefully at home the morning of Sept. 5, 2023.  He was born June 27, 1935 in Pittsburg, PA , son to late Charles and Lora (Hennessee) Greenawalt.  He was the beloved husband of Earlece Greenawalt for 66 years.  They had made their home in Melbourne, FL.

After graduating from Plant City High School (1954), he attended UF, joined the Army, and married his high school sweetheart, Earlece Ford in 1957.  After his deployment to Alaska, he returned to UF to complete his BS in Agriculture Sciences, Masters in Agricultural Extension Education and Doctorate from LSU in Co-operative Extension Education.  He spent the bulk of his career at UF serving the state of Florida as an Extension 4-H Youth Specialist for the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and chaired marine science curricula and grant development for 4-H youth.  Upon retirement, he and his wife lived in Gainesville, FL and Bryson City, NC before settling in Melbourne, FL (2001).

Throughout his retirement, he was active playing the drum in the Gator Alumni Band, the Highlands Pipes and Drums Band, the Melbourne Pipes and Drums Band and his Melbourne area “geriatric” quartet.  His other interests included mentoring drummers through lessons, fishing (salt and fresh water), and writing his life stories.

Tom was a loving brother to Janet Harban and her husband Dave Harban of San Antonio, FL.  He was the devoted father to Debbie Consbruck and her husband Tom of Merritt Island, FL and to Karen Boyle and her husband Kenny of Melbourne, FL.  He was the proud grandfather to Ryan (Anna), Monica, Dylan, Maria Consbruck and Suzannah & Delaney Boyle.  He adored his two neices, Laura Taylor and Kristi Ramey and their families.  He delighted in spending time with his family and particularly enjoyed storytelling and showing them fishing spots throughout Brevard County as well as the Great Smokey Mountains of NC.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for Saturday, October 21 at Suntree United Methodist Church (Melbourne) at 10:00 am followed by a gathering in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home at: 

Florida United Methodist Children’s Home

Development Department

51 Children’s Way

Enterprise, FL 32725