Early on Friday morning May 6, 2016, Burl “Popo” Greaves calmly slipped away from this world into the most beautifully manicured and perfectly chalk-lined baseball field to be with the greatest coach of all. Although Burl attended every sporting event from tennis, soccer, cheer competitions and football, baseball was his passion. If being there for every one of those counts as a jewel in his crown, it is way too heavy for him to wear. Burl was born in Odessa, Texas, on August 8, 1944, to Eunice and L.H. Greaves. He lived in Andrews all his life through high school, where he was an athlete as well as the president of the student body his senior year. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1966 with a business degree, after enjoying 4 years of being an avid sports fan and devoted Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother. The same year, Burl married Donna Baker and they began his time in the military as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. His career spanned many long years beginning with Arlington Savings, President of State Savings, President of Southwest Savings and Regional Manager for Bluebonnet Savings Bank. He also enjoyed the years spent as a real estate developer and investor. He continued his real estate career as a broker with Westar Commercial Realty, and presently was a Reverse Mortgage Specialist for Security One Lending. His civic and social interests, past to present, include Rotary Club, Lubbock Symphony Board of Directors, Mortgage Bankers Economic Council, United Way Board of Directors, Lubbock Home Builders Association, West Texas Rehab, and driving the pink golf cart as a Volunteer at Joe Arrington Cancer Center. In 1998, Burl married Sharon Thiel and they pulled together a beautifully blended family of seven children, who have given him 14 grandchildren and two great-grandsons. Those left to cherish Burl’s memory are: the mother of his children, Donna; his wife, Sharon; sons Brent, Ryan {Leslie} and Chad {Stacy} Greaves; granddaughters Aubrey and Sydney Greaves and Celie Dickey. Stepchildren, Tammy {Royce} Green; Tiffiany{Brian} Burgess; Vincent{April}Thiel; Tristen{John} Towle, with 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. There are many things we will miss about our “Popo” but some of the most treasured times we had were the cookouts, when he was the chief cook, with the most tender brisket and the best fajitas in the southwest. His bar-b-que sauce recipe will be in eternity with him as he would not share, no matter what. A celebration of Burl’s life will be held at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers on Monday, May 9, 2016, from 3 to 5 pm. A tribute of Burl’s life may be found at www.memorialdesigners.net, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to Joe Arrington Cancer Center. Rest well our sweet Popo; your love and sweet smile will be forever with us and we will see you again one day.
