Clinton J. (Pink) Greene, 85
C.J. (Pink) Greene, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, died at Clearwater Valley Hospital Sunday, July 31, 2011. Pink was born July 25, 1926, to Clinton D. and Mable Arlouine Greene in Delta, Utah. He had three brothers and three sisters.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and served in World War II in the Pacific. Pink married in 1947 in Hailey, Idaho. Together they raised four children.
In 1952 they moved to the Peck area, where he hauled logs with his wife’s father. He worked in the logging industry most of his life. He and his brother, Gerald (Hap) formed Greene Brothers Logging which later became Greene Logging. His three sons worked alongside him at times during his logging career as well as his wife. After his retirement, he remained active by driving truck and operating equipment for many local companies.
Pink was known far and wide for his keen sense of humor and never forgetting a joke. He always had a cartoon to show everyone tucked inside his western shirt pocket.
During his life he was well known at truck driving competitions, most often coming in first place. He always gave anyone interested the opportunity to learn from his years of driving experience. Pink was also a terrific mechanic and fabricator and could always be counted on to figure out how to make repairs – no matter how large or small.
In 2002, he and his wife were chosen to serve as grand marshals of the Clearwater County Fair and Lumberjack Days. The community was so proud of their many contributions to the timber industry.
Pink had a keen memory of not just jokes and people, but he also remembered each and every road and creek he had seen. His love for all things outdoors included fishing, camping and boating.
He is survived by his wife at the family home in Peck; his sister of Wendell, Idaho; six children; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Pink was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Kenny, Duane and Hap; and sisters DeEsta and Myrna.
A celebration of his life will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, at The Lodge at River’s Edge in Orofino, with a covered-dish dinner following at Canyon Inn in Peck. Interment will be at a later date for immediate family.
The family suggests memorial donations can be made to CVH Auxiliary or VFW Post 3296 in Orofino.
The Lewiston Tribune, August 3, 2011, p. 5D
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock