George Jackson Greenawalt

George (Jack) Greenawalt died peacefully at home on December 25, 2018. He was born August 1, 1927 in the mining town of Norway, Michigan. When he was two, the family moved to Jackson, Michigan where he graduated from high school in 1945. Jack enlisted in the Navy and served until 1946. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University. He received his Masters of Education from the University of Michigan, and he was awarded an EdD from Harvard University.


He began a long career in education in 1950, which took him to Japan, New York State, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. In Minnesota he served as Superintendent of Schools in the Hopkins School District. While at Hopkins, he co-founded three innovative, multi-school district cooperatives: 1) for computer services, 2) an area vocational school, and 3) a political action group to secure state funding for public schools.


Commitment to family was central to his being. He is survived by his wife, Donna; son, Paul; son, Mark; daughter, Martha; and grandchildren, Kate, Lauren, and Damoni Jackson.


Gardening and reading, particularly history and religion, were two of Jack's greatest interests. Jack was an active member the church and several service clubs: Junior Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, and Rotary. He was active in Stephen's Ministry in Minnesota. On Bainbridge Island, he volunteered with Island Volunteer Care-Givers, the Helpline House, and Bainbridge Historical Society. Donations to these three organizations would be welcomed in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.