Delmas "Ned" Edward Greeneltch, Jr.

Delmas "Ned" Edward Greeneltch, Jr., 81, passed away in Cottonwood, Arizona. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Ned was a dynamic presence in every community he touched. Known for his spirited personality and warm, outgoing nature, he built friendships that spanned both coasts, connecting deeply with people across his lifetime.

He graduated from the Linsly Military Institute in 1961. After serving in the United States Air Force, Ned earned his degree from Florida International University and worked a career in health sciences in Miami and Wheeling. In 2004, he and his wife, Patti, embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Cottonwood, Arizona, where Ned could fully embrace his passions for the open road, rugged trails, and the beauty of the Southwest.

From a young age, Ned had an unbreakable bond with engines, building his first car from scraps and going on to become a well-known figure in the motorcycling world. He was a mainstay in the Blackwater 100, the legendary race that defined off-road endurance. Whether it was his cherished Mustangs, dwarf cars, or the howl of two-stroke engines, Ned found joy in the grit, grease, and camaraderie of the racing community. His collection of vintage, unique and oddball vehicles was often a topic of conversation and his garage was a regular hangout spot for his friends. His contributions extended beyond the track, as he built and maintained dirt bike trails across Northern Arizona, working with the Coconino Trail Riders to support and inspire the next generation of riders.

Outside of his love for motorsports, Ned was also a devoted steward of Native American archaeology. As the head of site stewards for the Verde Valley Archaeology Center, he played a pivotal role in protecting and preserving the rich history of the area. His dedication to archaeology was a testament to his reverence for the land and the cultures that shaped it.

Above all, Ned was a family man. He was a proud father to Christina, Katy, Corey, and Garrett and a beloved grandfather whose wisdom, humor, and stories will be deeply missed. His legacy is one of passion, kindness, and an unyielding curiosity about the world around him.

Ned is survived by his wife, Patricia Quinn Greeneltch; daughters Christina Charlize Greeneltch, her wife Kristie Greeneltch of Yulee, FL and Katherine L Green of Cottonwood, AZ; sons Corey Quinn Greeneltch, his wife Zhenya Ogorodova of Silver Spring, MD and Garrett Walter Green of Prescott Valley, AZ; and sisters Carla Greeneltch of Cottonwood, AZ and Margie Hower of Atlanta, GA. He was predeceased by his parents, Delmas Greeneltch, Sr., and Dorothy Walter Greeneltch.

Memorial services will be held at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in his memory to be made to the Verde Valley Archaeology Center: https://www.verdevalleyarchaeology.org/donate

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