Obituary of R. James Green

R. James Green, 88, of Lakewood, NY and Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 at UPMC Chautauqua. A Jamestown native, Jim was born June 8, 1935, a son of the late James and Esther Gustafson Green. A US Army veteran, he served from 1956 to 1958 as a Radar Operator in White Plains, NY. Jim was a 1953 graduate of Jamestown High School, held a bachelor's degree from SUNY Albany and earned his master's degree from Prairie View A&M University in Texas. He also had 100 graduate hours and was certified in the areas of English, math, history, and counseling. From 1963 to 1977, he taught at Jamestown High School and from 1981 until his retirement as a teacher and guidance counselor from the Spring Branch School System in Houston, TX. His memberships locally include the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, Vikings, War Vets Recreation, and American Legion. Jim enjoyed golf (having made 5 holes-in-one), bowling (having made a 7-10 split), poetry, reading, music, and sudoku puzzles, and was also a skilled card player. He loved his family dearly and always, and in all ways, rooted for them all. They will forever remember his quick wit and humor. Surviving is his wife, Bonnie Lou O'Neil Green, whom he married Nov. 24, 1972; a daughter, Cindy Lu (Jeffrey) Alper and their children, Benjamin and Jessica; and five sons: James Harold "Jim" (Cheryl) Green, John Eric (Cheryl) Green and their children, Eric and Rebecca, Jason Andrew Green and his children, Bowden and Blythe, Thomas Matthew Green, and Daniel Robert (Angela) Green and their children, Amelia, Bennett, Margo, and Clara. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Mae Brewer and a brother, C. Larry Green. A private family service will be observed. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.