Through motorcycle trips, countless hours of conversation and time spent with Jack, myself Wayne Sims, Perry Biddle and others have come to know and love Jack. Also, riders who are no longer with us including Larry Williams, Gene Snider, J.B. Woodward, Jamie Moncrief, and Bobby Smith. We would like to share our friend Jack with you today. Jack was born to his parents Claude and Lucinlle on April 8, 1932 in Anniston, Alabama. He married Mary Jo his first-grade sweetheart. They have five sons and one daughter, all of whom ride Harley-Davidsons.
the office to see what “Sam” was talking about, not realizing it was a recruiting station. The recruiter instructed him to get into a van and drove to a train station in Gadsden. Jack climbed into a bunk and drifted off to sleep. Three days later when the train stopped in Texas, Jack was able to place a collect call to the only person on Buttermilk Road with a phone - Buck Greenwood. Jack still wasn’t sure what he had done, but he told Buck to go tell Mary Jo, “Sam got me!” “I’m somewhere in Texas”.
Mary Jo was a bookkeeper at South Trust Bank at the time. Jack finally told Mary Jo he had quit his job. Jo called all six children around the kitchen table and told them their daddy had quit his job and they were all going to starve in one big pile. Fortunately, Jo’s prediction wasn’t correct. Jack ran Greenwood Dental Lab until his retirement in 2018 at age 86. Jack also made gold jewelry from military days until present day. Jack’s life hasn’t been all work, for Jack knows how to have fun. He has owned 35 motorcycles. He was an active Shriner for 25 years. He has “Well, I’ve got to get In 1944 at the age of twelve, Jack worked been to Sturgis 20 times since 1986. He back to the Valley…. after school at Anniston Soil Foundry. has been to Daytona over 50 times since After getting off the bus, he would grab 1952. Mary Jo has been with Jack on Gotta go start some a biscuit and onion and run across the many of these trips, sometimes falling stuff with Mary Jo.” hillside five miles to work because it was asleep but holding on to Jack. ten miles to travel by road. He would In the early days of Daytona when the return home by dark having earned $1.25 Six months later out of boot camp, Jack races were on the beach Jack was there. and about 300 other men were in a for his day’s pay. He was also at the Cabbage Patch when parking lot, when a captain asked if Running to work each day, Jack would it was only a 4-way stop, drag racing anyone worked with small instruments in “eye” a Schwinn motorbike leaning by a with others, and running from the law. civilian life. Jack raised his hand, the tree. One day it asked if it was for sale. captain said, “come with me, you look like When asked how many continental states IT WAS! Jack bought his first motorbike a dental technician.” he had ridden in, he responded, “I can’t at age 12 for $50. To crank the bike, he think of one I missed.” had to run with it until it cranked and then After three years of Sam’s air force, in 1953 Jack returned to Anniston to the jump on. Jack was an avid golfer, an excellent pool foundry and his bride. player. Two years later, Jack began working full Shortly thereafter Jack worked at dental time at the foundry. At age 16 in 1948 After several of us sit around talking with labs in Anniston and West Point, Georgia Jack for a while at times he will say, Jack bought his first Harley-Davidson while taking courses at Auburn. Jack a 1946 Knucklehead. At 18 Jack asked “Well, I’ve got to get back to the Valley…. Mary Jo’s father permission to marry her. then worked for a dentist in Pell City from Gotta go start some stuff with Mary Jo.” 1960-1967. Her father had a question of his own. Jack you’ve gone from Buttermilk Road to “How are you going to take care of my Jack rode his Harley-Davidson to Pell City this special event for you today. daughter” Jack replied I don’t know but to work every day, encountering ruts and I will.” In December 1950 the two were construction, with mud and dust for seven As for taking care of Mary Jo…I’d say the promise you made her father in wed. long years. He opened his own lab in December, 1950 has been kept. Anniston while working his last year in One day, Jack saw a sign on Noble Pell City. He quit his job in Pell City and I am proud to call Jack Greenwood my Street, “Uncle Sam Wants You”. Tired friend. from the day’s work, he decided to enter had not told Mary Jo any of this. —Paul Steadman If you have a story or know someone we should feature, let us know: editor@borntoride.com BTR 6 | BORNTORIDE.COM
