E.B. Greenway

E.B. Greenway passed away on December 19, 2017 at age 88 in Wichita, Kansas, surrounded by his loving family. His viewing and visitation with family will be at Broadway Mortuary, 1147 S. Broadway, on Friday, December 22 from 6-8 p.m. His memorial service will be held at Woodland Lakes Community Church, 770 S. Greenwich Road, Wichita, Kansas, on Saturday, December 23, at 1:30 p.m.

E.B. was born on December 9, 1929, the seventh child of Elijah Bowman Greenway, Jr. and Pearl Maud (LeMaster) Greenway. He was preceded in death by his six siblings, three of whom were deceased before his birth. His last remaining sister passed when E.B. was 14.

He was born on a 62-acre farm in Aurora, Missouri at the beginning of the Great Depression, at a time when just being able to survive was more than most could hope for. His early years were marked by poverty. The family didn’t have much, and due to circumstances at home, he did not have a happy childhood. However, even as a young boy, he knew he wanted more for himself when he got older, and with his determination and relentless drive, he carved out a life for himself that belied his rough beginnings.

No one who met him would have guessed his childhood had been marred by hunger and deprivation. He had an easy smile, a great laugh, and a generous and giving spirit. When he promised his time and energy, he delivered. He believed a man was only as good as his word, and he was, indeed, a good man, a devoted husband, and a loving father.

At 19, he joined the Air Force and served during the Korean conflict. His military service allowed him to take a Powerman’s Training course, where he learned basic electrical theories and application. After the military, he moved to Wichita and went to work at Kansas Milling Company, shoveling grain out of boxcars. He accepted an opportunity to assist with plant maintenance, and rose through the ranks to Plant Electrician, eventually working his way up to Maintenance Superintendent.

During this time, he started a part-time electrical contracting business and worked both jobs until 1974, when he resigned from the mill and incorporated Greenway Electric, a company specializing in wiring grain handling and processing facilities. His success led to projects throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America.

When not working, E.B.’s favorite place was the San Juan Mountain range in Colorado, and he and his family took many trips to this lovely, untamed part of the world. On any given day, E.B. could be found fly-fishing at the river, often with his son Marc, and later with his grandson, Nick. There wasn’t a trail in the San Juan Mountains he hadn’t walked, a river he hadn’t fished, an evening around the campfire with his family that he didn’t enjoy.

He was the consummate outdoorsman, family man, and friend, who was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.

He had a love of travel, and where work didn’t take him, he arranged to travel with his beloved wife, Doris. Together they traveled the world; some of their favorite places were New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway and the Holy Land.

Sometimes they went with family and friends, but always they traveled together. They were each other’s best friend and traveling companion.

He and Doris Jean Gardenhire married on November 13, 1954, after a four-month courtship. The couple were blessed with a son, Marc Wayne (Jackie), in August of 1958, and a daughter, Gina Nicole (Bryan Dietrich), in May of 1963.  Marc’s daughter Megan (Wes Johnson), gave birth to E.B. and Doris’s only great-grandchild, Orie Coulter Greenway in February, 2015.  Gina and Bryan’s son, Nick Greenway, recently graduated college. Both Gina and Megan, proud of their family name, passed it on to their sons.

E.B. credits his wife of 63 years, Doris, for leading him to Jesus and to their Nazarene church, where they have been members for 60 years.

E.B. is survived by his wife Doris, his children Marc and Gina, his grandchildren Megan and Nick and his great-grandson, Orie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Woodland Lakes Community Church, the Wichita Children’s Home or the Salvation Army.