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Submitted: 7/6/22 • Approved: 7/31/22 • Last Updated: 8/3/22 • R1438939-G1438939-S3
Danny Ray Greenfield
"The Legend"
June 16, 1940 - November 11, 2020
Carolyn Gilstrap Greenfield
August 13, 1943 - January 28, 2010
Daughter of Carl Hugh and Leona Gilstrap
*Obituary
Danny Ray Greenfield passed away in Ft. Smith, AR on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. He was born in Fort Smith on June 16, 1940 .
He spent his early years in Mountainburg, AR. His senior year they moved to Van Buren where he played football, basketball, baseball and ran track for Coach Clair Bates and graduated from Van Buren High School in 1959. This is where he met & then married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Gilstrap. He was a devoted husband to Carolyn for 50 year before her passing Jan 28, 2010. Danny attended Southern State College in Magnolia, AR, where he competed as a multi-sport athlete for the Muleriders, showcasing his athleticism on the gridiron, the hardwood and the diamond; earning All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) First-Team honors in multiple sports. Greenfield, most known for his quickness and versatility, merited six varsity letters during his collegiate career, which included four as a halfback for the Mulerider Football team and two as a shortstop with the Mulerider Baseball team. On the diamond in 1961 Greenfield notched all-conference accolades as he was named an All-AIC First-Team shortstop. In his All-AIC senior football season of 1962, Greenfield, a two-way player, led the Muleriders in rushing, receiving and special team return yards, while also adding three interceptions. His baseball career continued professionally as he played six seasons of Minor League Baseball advancing as high as Double-A ball with three different teams: Birmingham Barons (1964), Ashville Tourists (1966) and Birmingham A’s (1968). In 1966, Greenfield was one of the top hitters, swinging .339 (126-for-372) for the Single-A Advanced Modesto Reds (Athletics organization) and helped lead the team to an 88-53 record overall and the California League Championship. That season, Greenfield was teammates with three future Major League Baseball legends; all three of which were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame: Rollie Fingers, Reggie Jackson, and Tony La Russa. Greenfield finished his professional baseball career as a .291 hitter with 619 hits, which included 75 doubles, 33 triples, and five home runs. He scored 447 runs and was responsible for 209 RBI. His aforementioned quickness paid dividends on the base paths as he swiped 111 bags in his career. Danny served in the Army prior to beginning his business career with Navistar/International Trucks as President of Carco International, where he proudly worked for over 52 years. Danny was also an active member of Community Bible Church. Danny was an avid (scratch) golfer. He also enjoyed fishing and socializing with family and friends. One of his favorite things to do was attend his grandchildren’s sporting events. He never met a stranger, he was funny in his own "quiet" kind of way, always made people feel comfortable and constantly made us smile when he was around.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John T Greenfield and Imogene Osburn Greenfield of Mountainburg and his wife, Carolyn.
He is survived by his son, Ripper Greenfield and Ripper’s wife, Paula Rhodes Greenfield and "Gran-Danny" to their children Hudson, Holton and Haven Greenfield, all of Austin, TX. Additionally, he is survived by sisters, Terrill Gregg (Batesville, AR), Sandy Greenfield (San Diego, CA) and brother, Jerry Greenfield (Alma, AR). Danny was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
A visitation will be held at Community Bible Church (9201 S. Dallas St. Ft. Smith, AR) on Monday, November 16, 2020 at noon, with a Celebration of Life Service at 1pm. Cremation and services are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home.
Photo courtesy of Frances Allen Titsworth
Contributed on 7/6/22 by Bill060
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Record #: 1438939