Obituary of Gregory James Muck

Gregory James Muck February 29, 1968 - August 20, 2014 Santa Cruz, California Gregory James Muck, a committed husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend, at the age of 46 died the week of August 10th doing what he loved, a wilderness hike in Gardiner Basin, Kings Canyon National Park in Fresno County. Greg was exceptional from birth, a leap year baby born February 29, 1968, in Anaheim, California. He was raised in Pleasanton, California with his sister Cindy and attended Foothill High School. He established himself in Santa Cruz and later attended University of California, Santa Cruz where he earned a bachelor's degree in community studies and a master's degree in education. Greg is survived by his wife of seven years and soul mate Shannon and five year old daughter Delphina, of Santa Cruz, his parents David and Carol Muck of Pleasanton, his sister Cindy Streimer and her husband Steven and daughter Leslie of Sherwood, Oregon, and his mother-in-law Trudy Fabian of Pleasanton. In addition, he is survived by his Uncle Steven Muck, Uncle Ron and Aunt Liz Callaway, five cousins, nine sister-in-laws, eight brother-in-laws, 20 nieces and nephews, and a village of extended family and friends. Setting the stage for his career in education, Greg was an Enrichment Specialist at Freedom Elementary School in Watsonville. At Freedom, Greg was well known for his work in the school garden, introducing the vibrancy of local produce to children and adults alike. While completing his credential, he was a student teacher at Bay View Elementary in Santa Cruz where his daughter will start Kindergarten this week surrounded by his memory and the admiration he impressed upon the staff there. Greg's first assignment after graduating was a second-grade class at John Gomes Elementary in Fremont, a community profoundly saddened by his loss as his spirit and talent impacted them after only one year. He was to begin a new classroom of third-grade students at James Leitch Elementary School in Fremont this week. Greg rejoiced in the fact that it was seven minutes closer to home. The round and hexagonal tables Greg ordered for his classroom illustrate his passion for community and positive student outreach through his out-of-the box teaching style. As his mother so aptly stated, Greg's life speaks for itself. Perhaps you danced with him at a Dead concert or music festival, toasted wine eye to eye with him, or worked with him to reduce waste and preserve our environment. Perhaps you cheered on the A's with him, joined him with his family, or just sat by a bonfire enjoying the moment. Whatever the occasion, no doubt it was about community, sports, hiking, education, sharing each other or celebrating family and friends. It was only Greg who could grunge it up hiking in the High Sierras to then be so dapper in a tux as he attended the opening of the opera. He hugged you tightly, spoke to you gently, treated you kindly and left you wanting to be more like Greg Muck. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at any Bank of America Account #4850-1112-5719 to help support Shannon and Delphina, the absolute lights in his life. As Shannon noted, the title of his Facebook page "Finding Greg Muck - The Great Adventurer," still applies as those he touched will always be "finding" Greg in their lives. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Greg's life at a festival beginning Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz with a reception following at 523 Dufour Street in Santa Cruz.