John Joseph Greely IV, a fourth-generation Central Kentucky horseman who was the driving force behind 'Make-A-Wish' Day at Keeneland among his philanthropic endeavors, passed away Mar. 15. He was 54 years old.
Born in Lexington Jan. 24, 1966, into a family with its roots deep in the Thoroughbred industry, Greely graduated from the Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN, in 1984 and five years later, from the University of Kentucky. Always giving of his time and perpetually engaged towards the betterment of the business he loved, Greely was actively involved in Thoroughbred aftercare and was a member of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbed Owners and Breeders (KTA/KTOB), serving that organization on its board of directors and was both secretary and vice president during his tenure. A former chair of the KTA's Political Action Committee, Greely was a trustee for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) from 2008-2017.
In addressing why he invested so much energy into Make-A-Wish, Greely told former KTA/KTOB executive director David Switzer: “I want to help children and the elderly, and those in between who can't fend for themselves.” According to his obituary, he also helped raise funds for the construction of The Homeplace in Midway.
Greely worked with his father John Greely III at his Wintergreen Farm and later founded Wintergreen Stallion Station with his brother Beau. The farm stood the likes of Pollard's Vision and Five Star Day.
He is survived by his parents Ann Evans Greely and John Joseph Greely, III, of Lexington, his brother Christopher Beau Greely of Redondo Beach, CA; sisters Shannon Greely Totty (Seward) (Lexington) and Laura Greely Whitworth (Jason) (Atlanta, GA); nieces Jacqueline and Margaux Greely, Caroline Totty, Lily Whitworth, and nephews Beau Greely, Jack Totty, Alex Totty, and Will Whitworth as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. John also leaves behind his two beloved black labs, Raylin and Lyford.
A funeral mass is scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 18, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 425 Short St., Lexington, KY. A reception will follow at 5 p.m. at the Idle Hour Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Make-A-Wish, 701 E. Main St., Lexington, 40502-1670.
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