Remembering Irvin Babe Greer

Florence & Irvin Greer in the 1930's

Irvin Babe Greer 1904-1945

Irvin Babe Greer was the eleventh child in the family of John Harris and Orpha Greer. He was born 8 July 1904 in Concho. Irvin had a happy childhood on Greer Ranch with his brothers and sisters and attended school in St. Johns, Arizona. He was of happy disposition, a hard worker, and often said, if he lived long enough, he would have as many children as his father. As a young boy, he loved to ride horseback over the hills near his ranch home. Often he remained overnight, and sometimes two or three days, in cattle or sheep camps near the ranch. He could speak Spanish and had many friends among the people.

While working in Holbrook, Arizona, Irvin met beautiful, red-haired, Florence Virginia Rosenfield, who was divorced and had a six-year-old son, Albert Francis. Irvin married Florence and to them were born two sons and four daughters. The family lived in Holbrook and St. Johns until about 1937. For a short time in 1940, Irvin lived with Errol and Marilla Brown in Salt Lake City. The family also lived in Sunnyside, Utah, about twenty-five miles east of Price. Irvin and Florence later located in American Fork with their young children where he worked in the steel mills until his death on 14 July 1945. His death resulted from being shot following an altercation with a neighbor.

Children of Irvin & Florence Greer and their age at the time of their father’s death: Irvin Harris (14), Chester Lee (12), Lillian Marlene (9), Florence Virginia (7), Cheree Sandra (5), and Thomas Neldon (4). A daughter, Millicent, who was born in 1935 died at seven months of age, thus preceded her father in death.