Mr. Patrick Kevin Greenwood

Patrick “Packer” Kevin Greenwood, 70, of Columbia, died on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. A son of the late James Roger and Shirley Andrea Schneekloth Greenwood, he was born in Neosho, Missouri, on December 21, 1953. Patrick was born into a military family, spending his early years in military bases around the world with his four siblings before settling in Columbia, SC. He attended E.L. Wright Middle School before attending his beloved Cardinal Newman for high school. Patrick was bound to a wheelchair in his early years while recovering from Legg-Calve-Perthes. Once he was walking again in high school, it didn’t take long for him to grace the cover of local newspapers with photos of his soaring 6’2” frame dunking over defenders on the varsity basketball team. During high school, he gained a trusted mentor and role model in Cardinal Newman’s Principal, Harold Bayerl, who took him under his wing and helped him look towards building a future for himself. He helped him get admitted to Saint Leo University and even paid for Patrick’s entire college education. Mr. Bayerl’s selflessness and dedication to the service of others had an enormous impact on Patrick, who ultimately decided to follow Mr. Bayerl’s footsteps in education. After graduating from Saint Leo’s and earning a Master’s in education at Dayton University in Ohio, Patrick returned to Columbia and took a teaching position at his Alma Mater, Cardinal Newman. After returning to Cardinal Newman as a teacher, Patrick dedicated his life to Cardinal Newman and his students. He constantly looked for ways to be involved, from coaching his beloved Women’s Basketball team, to coaching golf, softball, men’s basketball, and even teaching Driver’s Ed. His students speak very fondly on the mentorship Patrick offered through long discussions about struggles outside of the classroom and life beyond Cardinal Newman. In 1993, he was set up on a blind date with Bonnie. They quickly fell in love, and he asked her father for her hand at Christmas in 1993. They married June 11th, 1994 at St. Peter’s Church in Columbia. Together, they went on to have six children: three sons and three daughters. A “Brady Bunch” family as he told everyone, his children meant everything to him. Once he became a father, his heart and soul were fully devoted to his family. He first traded in his youthful speedy car for his purple dodge caravan that he called “the Grape”. He never missed a softball game, a football game, a soccer tournament, or dance recital. No matter how busy life got, he was always there, cheering his kids on with unwavering love and support. But the greatest gift he gave them was the lesson that they should always chase their dreams. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Miller Greenwood; children John Patrick, Michael, Breanna, David, Kristin, and Kaytlin; his siblings James (“Jimmy”), Mark (Pat), Sue (Scott), and Leslie (Clayton). A memorial service for past and present Cardinal Newman School students, faculty, and community members will be held in the school Gymnasium on Wednesday, December 18th, at 6:00. The Mass of Christian Funeral for Mr. Greenwood will be held at 2 o’clock, Friday, December 20th, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Road, Columbia, with Fr. C. Alexander McDonald officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o’clock, Thursday evening at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. Memorials may be made to the Cardinal Newman Softball program.

Tributes

Mr. Patrick Kevin Greenwood

December 21, 1953 - December 10, 2024