The Reynolds community lost one of its most coveted members on September 4, 2017. Former Sergeant Major and men’s golf coach Lewis “Sarge” Green passed away at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

In his time at Reynolds, Sarge touched the lives of many. That was evident at his funeral, when many former students, players and Reynolds faculty were there to pay homage.

“I don’t think he would have wanted anything more,” said senior golfer Jordan Fant, regarding the amount of former students and players at his funeral service. “It shows how much everyone respects him and how important he has been in their lives.”

“He would’ve been there for every single one of us,” added senior golfer Richard Dull. “He’s been such a big part of [the golf team’s] lives, there’s no way we were going to miss it.”

Sarge grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, and then became a paratrooper in the United States Army. He retired from active duty in 1992 and began teaching Junior ROTC at Reynolds High School in 1993. While at Reynolds, he also coached football for a while and was an assistant golf coach until 2005 when he became the head coach.

Who knew that a self-taught golfer who did not learn the game until the age of 30 could become such a successful golf coach? Well, Sarge did it and he has the record to back it up. This past year alone he was the RJR coach of the year after his team won the North State High School Challenge back in March and finished sixth at states.

A bit of an unorthodox golfer, his biggest strength was his state of mind. This was his biggest impact on his players as well, always making sure they had their mind in the right place.

“He trusted our ability to play the game,” said Dull. “Instead of trying to change our mechanics, Sarge was always getting our mental game where it needed to be.”

While golf was one of Sarge’s passions, he was an Oklahoma cowboy at heart. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and never missed out on an opportunity to enjoy these activities.

“When we were at the Palmetto Tournament, Sarge brought a fishing rod to the tournament and would fish while we were playing,” said Fant, reminiscing on some of his favorite memories with Sarge.

Since Sarge’s passing, his team and the Reynolds community have done many things to commemorate his legendary life. One Friday, the entire school participated in a “green out” and wore green ribbons to school and to that night’s football game in his honor. The golf team has done all they can to honor him.

“[The golf team] went to Hospice and provided food for the people there, and we also ushered at his funeral,” said senior golfer Davis Gilmore.

“We plan to wear green ribbons during our matches this season in his honor,” said Dull

The golf team has also thought of different fundraising opportunities for pancreatic cancer research and treatment, and plan to have “Fore Sarge” written on their shirts and hats to always keep him with them on the course. On top of all that, there is one more aspiration the men’s golf team has for this season.

“We are going to win states for Sarge,” said Fant. “That would be a huge accomplishment.”

Lewis “Sarge” Green dedicated his life to his country and community by bringing people of all backgrounds together and helping others in anyway he could. If we really want to carry on his legacy, we should do as he often said and, “cowboy up” to help others every chance we get by always treating others with the same respect that he did.

To sum up Sarge’s philosophy on and off the golf course, Davis Gilmore recalled something Sarge would often tell him on the golf course.

“Aye, just smile, man.”