Dr. M. Carter Greear Jr.

Dr. M. Carter Greear, Jr. died peacefully at home Saturday, January 18, 2014, surrounded by his family after a courageous eight-month fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born September 4, 1940 in Bristol, Virginia to Lois and Carter Greear and came to Orlando to live in the late 1940’s. With the exception of his years of dental training, he resided in the Orlando-Winter Park area, attending local schools and graduating from Edgewater High School in 1958. Dr. Greear did his undergraduate work at the University of Florida 1958-1960 where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After only two years he was accepted into the School of Dentistry at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland. He met his beloved wife, Beverly, in high school and they were married at Christmastime in his sophomore year of dental school and just recently celebrated their 52nd anniversary. Having achieved his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1964, he entered the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant at Sanford Naval Air Station and proudly served two years of active service providing dental care. He then returned to school for orthodontic training at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, earning his Master of Science in Dentistry Orthodontics in 1969. Dr. Greear returned to Winter Park in 1969 and established his orthodontic specialty office in Winter Park where he practiced for thirty years. He had a passion for his profession and pursued excellence and perfection in every case he treated. He loved working with his patients and bringing attractive smiles to their faces. Occasionally he had the privilege of treating three generations in the same family. After selling his practice to Dr. David McIntosh in 1999 he continued to work in the practice for 10 years which he thoroughly enjoyed. This semi-retirement gave Carter and Beverly ample time to follow their passion of travel. In fact, right before his diagnosis of cancer, he and Beverly enjoyed a month long, photographic, African safari which was the highlight of all his travel experiences. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, a Diplomate of the International College of Dentists, a Diplomate of the American College of Dentists, and Past-President of the Florida Association of Orthodontists. In addition, he was a member of the American Dental Association, the Southern Society of Orthodontists, and the Orange County Dental Society. He was a perpetual student throughout his life and always sought to educate himself and his staff on all the recent innovations and advances in his orthodontic practice. Carter was a devout Christian and member of All Saints Episcopal Church since 1969. He participated in a men’s Bible study group for the last 20 years and never missed unless out of town. The Thursday morning Bible study group was very meaningful to him in his Christian walk. In addition to local ministries, he participated in several mission trips in Central America to deliver dentistry to the needy and a People to People mission to China in 1981. Carter’s life was one of tenacity and attention to detail, tempered with compassion and honesty. He had the ability to affect others and help lead them in causes about which he felt so strongly. Carter was the ultimate outdoorsman with love for and expertise in hunting and fishing. He enjoyed many trips around the country and world with his friends who shared this passion. He instilled in his son, Michael, the love of the outdoors and they spent many weekends at his camp where all the men gathered on the weekends with their sons. He recently was named an honorary founder of the Florida Youth Conservation Center which his son and grandson will continue to support. His other love was for the Florida Gators and he and Beverly enjoyed attending the games and the camaraderie of all their Gator friends. Carter and Beverly enjoyed their summer home in Colorado for the last 17 years particularly spending time with many dear friends who visited, sharing the beauty of the Rocky Mountain area. In the last five years, Carter developed a passion for the game of bridge, his wife’s interest, studying constantly to learn the game and spent many enjoyable hours playing with friends as well as duplicate bridge at various bridge centers. Carter will be deeply missed by his wife, Beverly, and his three children, Debbie Saffari (Bahman), Michelle Chronopoulos (Dino), Michael Greear, and his seven grandchildren Garrick, Sarah, Caroline, Will, Alex, Michael, and Matthew. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Humphrey and James, and his parents, Lois and Carter Greear. A service for the celebration of Carter’s life will be held Saturday, January 25th at 4PM, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Winter Park with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: All Saints Episcopal Church, 338 E. Lyman Ave. W.P., FL 32789; Canary Foundation (donate online at www.canaryfoundation.org); or The Orlando Union Rescue Mission, 1521 W. Washington Street, Orlando, FL 32805.

Dr. M. Carter Greear Jr.

September 4, 1940 - January 18, 2014