Douglas E.'s Story

Douglas “Doug” Eugene Greer, Jr.

Douglas Eugene Greer, Jr., died on March 19, 2024. Born in Spartanburg County on November 12, 1946, Doug was a devoted husband married for 58 years to Ricelyn Tallon Greer, loving father and grandfather, and a driven businessman who upheld the highest ethics in both his personal and professional life.

Doug is survived by his wife, Ricelyn Tallon Greer, his daughter, Michelle Greer Cardell
(her fiancé, Joey Stewart), his son, Michael, his three grandchildren, Albrecht, Vivienne, Alexander, and a niece, a nephew, and numerous beloved cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Doug Sr., his mother, Majorie Lee Taylor Greer, and his brother, Marcus Clayton Evans Greer.
Growing up working on his dad’s farm in Taylors, South Carolina, Doug learned that hard work made a good partner to character and dependability. In fact, when asked by his grandchildren what was his first job, he replied, “I can’t remember a time when I was not working.” This deeply ingrained work ethic led Doug at the ripe age of 26 and after only 8 years in the fire sprinkler industry to found his own company, American Fire Protection.

Doug started the business in the basement of his home with only $250, a toolbox, and a pickup truck. Out of that humble beginning grew what would later become a much-larger enterprise. Initially, Doug’s company functioned strictly as a fire sprinkler design company. However, during the course of designing fire protection for an Ingles grocery store, a General Contractor, Hilliard Ward, asked Doug to consider installing the systems as well. After consultation with his wife, Doug agreed and 50 years later, American Fire Protection is today a multi-million-dollar firm with 40+ skilled employees whom are all considered family. Among those employees are Doug’s wife, Ricelyn, his partner and CFO all these years, with his daughter, Michelle, and son, Michael carrying the business into the next generation.
Doug was recognized as a true pioneer in the fire-protection industry. Always committed to professionalism in his work, Doug spearheaded the effort to require fire sprinkler system contractors to be licensed. After many meetings with South Carolina’s legislature, in 1985, South Carolina Governor Dick Riley signed a law requiring licensure. Subsequently, Doug’s company received South Carolina’s first fire sprinkler contractor license: FSC.1001M.
Doug’s experience with passing a state law led him to continue his civic involvement. He later served on the South Carolina State Contractors’ Licensing Board, the Greenville County Planning Commission, and many Republican Party committees and campaigns, including helping elect a U.S. Congressman in the early 1990’s. Doug was a proud Constitutional conservative.
Doug was a lifelong Southern Baptist and was also an ordained Baptist deacon. Treasured friends, Ben and Nelle Singleton, were recognized by Doug as particular spiritual mentors, and he readily embraced their life-philosophy.

Like his Greer ancestors before him, Doug was a member of the Masonic Order of Freemasons. He is a Past Master of the Wade Hampton Lodge 404 A.F.M., and was a Shriner of the Hejaz Temple. As one of the Shriner ‘clowns’, he delighted in spending considerable time providing entertainment to children who were patients at the Shriner’s hospital.

Affectionately known as “Pappy” by his grandkids, he enjoyed telling stories about growing up on the farm instilling values like hard work and the importance of ‘consistent persistence’ in facing life’s challenges. In moments of leisure, you could find him reading business magazines, exploring local gun shows, watching documentaries about Big Foot & American history, or shooting clay pigeons with his grandchildren. Doug lived a full life.

The legacy left behind by Douglas Eugene Greer Jr., extends far beyond what any words can express – it lives within each person whose life has been enriched by knowing him whether personally or professionally. His life stands as a testament to just how much of a difference one person can make when they live their lives fully committed towards bettering others around them. When faced with terminal cancer diagnosis, Doug responded with the courage and grace of a man who was well prepared to meet his Maker. The good that he did will continue to live on in the many lives he touched.