John Tracy Greene born May 5, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee, was the fifth child of Nolan B. Greene Sr. and Jamie J. Greene. He was a truly awesome man loved by his family and many others. John's death occurred at his home in Lansing, Michigan on March 25, 2021.

When John turned 18, he took up the challenges of America's Army operations as a Combat Medical Specialist. He was quickly promoted to Specialist Fifth Class; Second Lieutenant and ended his military career as First Lieutenant having served as an officer for 2 years. John's combined service time of six years, began in 1962 and ended with an honorable discharge in 1968.

John began his advanced education at the University of Maryland European Division in Frankfort, Germany,  studying German Language and Literature. He continued at the University of Detroit for a Masters Degree in Biblical and Semitic Languages and Archaeological Studies. In 1980 he received his PhD in Scriptural and Historical Studies, History of Religion and Ancient Semitic Languages from Boston University with study at Harvard.

Dr. Greene taught Religious Studies at Michigan State University for a long career, from 1980 – 2007 while simultaneously achieving international fame as a field archaeologist and frequently published scholar. Professor Greene's career at MSU involved administrative as well as teaching assignments. In the spring of 1990, John was elected by faculty to the position of Chairman of the Department of Religious Studies. From 1990 – 1994, he served as Director of Integrative Studies, Office of the Provost at MSU. Many summers John served as Director of MSU's Summer in Israel Program and as co-director of the Bethsaida-Julias Archaeological Research Project. Beginning in 2005, along with Mishael Caspi, John conducted seminars at the International Society of Biblical Literature annual conferences held in Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Australia. He spoke fluently five modern languages as well as Biblical Hebrew; and read easily the literature of all the Germanic and Romance languages. Professor Greene retired from the position of Full Professor at MSU in 2007. He is the author, co-author, and editor of 17 substantially published scholarly volumes.

John had a large capacity for fun and enjoyed hosting small gatherings of family and friends to celebrate the "birth" of his latest book. In all that he did, he still found the time to attend and support family at graduations, school plays and concerts. We enjoyed his sharing of historical perspective and his amazing travel stories.

We will miss him dearly: his siblings, Ivorie M. Greene-Moore, Vivian Greene-Weatherspoon (Gregory), Ronald R. Greene and Carol L. Greene. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Nolan B. Greene Sr. and Jamie J. Greene; and siblings, Charles E. Greene, Nolan B. Greene Jr., Sarah Greene-Bates, and Janice D. Greene. Many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews will carry forth loving memories of their "Uncle Bos." He will also be missed by his cousins, friends and colleagues.

A private graveside service with full military honors will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan at a later date in April, 2021.