Lewis Campbell Greenlee

Lewis Campbell Greenlee passed away August 7, 2018. Lew was a second-generation Denver native born December 31, 1939 to John B. and Elizabeth Greenlee. He and his two younger brothers, Jim and Bob, were in the boys’ choir at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Denver from a young age. His namesake, his grandfather, was the first superintendent of Denver Public Schools, after whom Greenlee Elementary at 1150 Lipan is named. This family history of education inspired Lew to earn a Bachelors degree in History and a Masters in Social Studies with an education emphasis from Western State College in Gunnison. There he met his future wife, Kathryn “Kay” Waid, on a blind date and they were married on May 23, 1964. After graduation, he and Kay moved to Monument and taught in a small K-12 school where he was the choir teacher in addition to the high school history teacher. After 3 years he got a job teaching at his alma mater, East High School in Denver, from which he retired 30 years later. He was known as one of the most demanding but passionate history teachers at East High. His two daughters were born a few years after moving to Denver. Lew was also an avid bike rider, body builder, sun-worshiper and vocalist. He and his family were members of the Denver Bike Club and would regularly participate on rides during the summer. After retirement he and Kay traveled to Europe several times for bicycle tours. He began lifting weights at age 17 and was still lifting weights twice a week up until two weeks before he passed away. His childhood choir days continued for the rest of his life as well. He was a tenor with Classic Corrale for several years and a lifelong member of his church choir. His youngest brother, Robert passed away in 1993. His middle brother, James, passed in 2007, son-in-law, Michael Cook, passed in 2018. In 2011 the love of his life was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After 5 1/2 courageous years, she lost her battle in 2016. They were married for 52 years. He is blessed to have left a legacy in his daughters and seven grandchildren and loving sisters-in-law. He is survived by daughters Natalie Cook and Lynne Greenlee (Brian Keanum), grandchildren Nick, Neil, Ellie and Liam Cook, Olivia Covert, Ramsey and Everett Keanum, sisters-in-law Jean Waid and Carol Greenlee. His passion for history and music, obsession with bad puns, fanaticism for the Denver Broncos (and sports in general), angelic singing voice, and adoration of his family will be sorely missed. Services will be held 2:00PM, Wednesday, August 15th at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1270 Poplar in Denver. Donations can be made to the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Society and the Denver Teachers’ Club.

Please give your condolences to the Greenlee family.

Memorial Service: August 15, 2018 2:00 pm

St Luke's Episcopal Church
1270 Poplar Street
Denver, CO 80220
303-3552331