Gregory Hal Schwarze

November 28 ^th 1947 - October 5 ^th 2017

Gregory Hal Schwarze, decorated Vietnam soldier, father, grandfather, entrepreneur and all around jokester, died Thursday October 5 ^th in Las Vegas Nevada. He was a humorous man who left a legacy of fun and quirkiness in the hearts of all he came across.

Greg was born in Harvey, North Dakota in 1947. He was the of son Felix and Helen (Fischer) Schwarze. Greg grew up on a farm near Anamoose, ND and was the brother of Bob and Charles Schwarze and Karen Pettit.

Greg moved to Huntsville, Alabama to be close to his siblings in the early sixties. Shortly after his move, he enlisted into the United Sates Army and was assigned to Charlie Company with the 101 ^st Airborne Infantry Division. During his two tours in Vietnam between 1967 and 1969, Greg experienced heavy fighting and faced one of the darkest periods of the conflict.  He later received two Bronze Stars for heroic valor, and a Purple Heart after being wounded in combat. Nicknamed "Wild Man" by his fellow infantrymen, Greg earned the reputation of being a fearless combat soldier who always put the lives of others above his own. Greg spent the last years of his military service singing in the Airborne's Music Choir, traveling around the country supporting the war effort.

Shortly after his Service, Greg returned to Huntsville where he met Mary Barnett while working for a local fast food restaurant called Jack's Hamburgers. The couple soon married and spent the next few years working for Greg's oldest brother Bob, at his company, Schwarze Industries. The couple later moved to Tampa, Florida and then back to North Dakota where Greg became the Chief of Police for Drake and Deputy Sheriff of McHenry County. Greg and Mary also owned and operated their own restaurant in Anamoose, where they served hot coffee to early morning risers and some of the most amazing hamburgers in the state.

Shortly after the birth of their son Kelly in 1978, Greg and Mary moved back to Huntsville to be closer to family. The couple left Alabama for the last time in 1980 and relocated permanently to Las Vegas, Nevada. Inspired by his brother Bob's entrepreneurial spirit, Greg founded his own street sweeper manufacturing company called Trail-A-Vac Sweepers, which he operated for nearly a decade.  On January 1, 1984 Mary gave birth to the couple's second and last child, Ericka.

After years of financial hardship and family stress, Greg and Mary divorced and closed the business. Greg would spend the next 37 years managing car dealerships, and two Las Vegas area bars. He later learned the construction trade, and concluded a decade career with the Teamsters Union. Toward the end of his life, Greg was also instrumental in helping his son and daughter-in-law launch their Film Production Studio in Las Vegas. Despite him breaking a hip at the age of 64, he still had a creative spirit by building sets, innovating and being a part of the local film community in Las Vegas. He enjoyed being a grandfather, dabbled in art, sculpture and model building, and continued to have a huge heart for those that he cared for.

Greg is survived by his son Kelly Schwarze, daughter Ericka Bartman, grandchildren Logan and Ellinor, daughter-in-law, Charisma Schwarze and son-in-law, Bruce Bartman; nieces Lorrie, Jenny and Kristine, and nephews Mark, Ricky, Todd and Barry.

Gregory was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob Schwarze, Charles Anthony Schwarze; and sister, Karen Ann Pettit.

Greg Schwarze is also immortalized in the Emmy © Nominated Documentary entitled Dad's Vietnam, along with several cameo appearances in independent film.