Obituary of August Joseph Greiner

August Joseph Greiner June 6, 1934 - August 7, 2010 Augie Greiner, one of Ocala's best-known businessmen/civic leaders and a passionate University of Florida basketball advocate, died at his home this week after a long illness. Greiner, founder of Greiner's clothing store was 76. A native of St. Louis Missouri, Greiner received a basketball scholarship to attend the University of Florida and was a four year Letterman in that sport. After his playing days he served in the US Army for two years before returning to school to receive his degree. He moved to Ocala and began working in the city's recreation department where he oversaw many of the athletic leagues including baseball and tennis. Greiner also taught at Oakcrest Elementary School. In 1962, along with Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Peek, he opened Greiner's clothing store and began changing the culture of Ocala fashion. Later, the business expanded to include stores in Ormond Beach and Tampa as well as a ladies department in the flagship Ocala store. Among many side businesses he helped start was "Tast-T-O Donuts" with George Ross and Jerry Gause. Greiner also found time to coach many youth sports including little league baseball, elementary school basketball and city-wide church league basketball. He was an entrepreneur, founding the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders Basketball Tournament and was a proud supporter and participant in the Henry N. Camp Invitational Golf Tournament. He was passionate about his catholic faith and served as a lector for Blessed Trinity Catholic Church as well as volunteering for Brother's Keeper and the soup kitchen. He was a founding member of the Metropolitan Ocala Rotary Club and Trinity Catholic High School. He was a member of the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, was a past "Gator of The Year" award recipient and served on the Board of Directors for UF Athletics. In 1980 he founded the "Ocala Gator Tip-Off Club" with Coach Norm Sloan, through which they have raised enough to sponsor four athletic scholarships for the Gators. His hobbies included golfing with his boys and buddies, working in the yard and reading. Mr. Greiner is survived by his wife of 46 years, the former Susan O'Farrell, four children Nancy, Augie Jr. (Carmen), Michael and Kurt (Julie), eight grandchildren Kinley, Chase, Bryce, Ryan, Garrett, Gillian, Kurt Jr. and Grayson and brothers Richard and David. A funeral mass will be held Friday at 3 PM at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala. There will also be a viewing at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home on Thursday from 5 PM - 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Hospice of Marion County, Brother's Keeper and St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis.