James Curtiss “J.C.” Greene, 69, of Owensboro, passed away on November 29, 2025, after a noble battle with cancer. He was born on August 25, 1956, to the late Frances (Roane) and James Curtiss Greene, Sr. in Lexington, VA.
J.C. retired as a Deputy Jailer from the Daviess County Detention Center in 2015 and most recently worked at Owensboro Racing and Gaming as a supervisor. An attendee of Brescia University, he dedicated his life to service and community. He was a member of St. Stephen Cathedral and the Knights of Columbus Council #817, and he poured his heart into helping others—co-founding Foust’s Father’s Matter, volunteering with Special Olympics, and spending summers as a counselor at Shady Oaks Camp. He also trained thousands through the TIPS Alcohol Certification Program, which undoubtedly kept countless impaired drivers off the road.
J.C. loved casting a fishing line, grilling for the people he loved, listening to soul, jazz, and R&B, and enjoying a game of dominos. He never turned down an opportunity to play the lottery and cheered endlessly for his beloved Steelers. Above all, he was a selfless and loving husband, father, mentor, and friend—someone who never met a stranger and made everyone feel like family.
Along with his parents, J.C. is preceded in death by his sister, Renee Greene Thompson.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife and partner for 40 years, Mary Lou (Seaton) Greene; his children, Chris (Jennifer), Rachel (Lance), Nathan (Ashley), and Frances “Boo Boo” Seaton; his brother, Chris (Angie) Greene; his grandchildren, Donta, Justin, and Ashton Millay, and C.J. Seaton; cherished niece and nephew, Raven and Christopher Greene, and his beloved granddog, Rowdy.
Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at St Stephen Cathedral, with Father John Vaughan officiating. The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home and Crematory, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with prayers being said following visitation. Visitation will resume on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the funeral home. A private family burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of charitable donations made payable to OPS Foundation for Excellence at 450 Griffith Avenue, Owensboro, KY 42301, and Special Olympics, Attn: Memorial Giving, at 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20037.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of J.C. Greene. Please leave condolence messages for the family and sign their virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.