Custis Roe Green, Jr.

Custis R. Green, Jr. passed away on February 27, 2018, in Hilo, Hawaii, at the age of 95. He was born in Casper, Wyoming, to Custis and Dorothy Green and later joined by siblings Robert, Ruth and Virginia. The children were raised in LaJunta , Colorado, where Custis, Sr was a funeral director of the Green Mortuary. “Custy”, as he was known for many years, enjoyed school and music, and became an Eagle scout with the Koshare Indian Dancers - Boy Scout Troop 232. With the breakout of WW II, Custis joined the USAAC and began training to fly in B17s. Before leaving for Europe, he married fiancé Virginia (Patty) Jones of Manzanola, Colorado. Second Lt. Green was in a B17 when it was shot down over Germany in November of 1944. He was captured and became a prisoner of war until the end of the war. He was one of only three survivors of the two planes, carrying 19 soldiers.

After the war, Green returned home to Colorado in August of 1945 to his wife and baby daughter, Ruth. Following a desire to teach, he obtained a master's degree in education and moved the family to Portland, Oregon, to begin his new career. They settled in SE Portland in the Mt Tabor area and added two more children, Amy and Custis III. The family became active in Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church where Custis enjoyed singing in the choir and directing the high school choir. He first taught, then became a principal in the Portland Public School system and served at several Portland area schools over the life of his career. He was well loved by students, parents and staff alike. He took early retirement to care for his wife who died in 1989.

Custis remarried in 1990 to Annette Kearns who was just entering the Peace Corps and heading for St Lucia in the Caribbean. They loved the island life and spent 11 years in St. Lucia. Fully enjoying retirement, they traveled to Belize, Africa, China, Peru, and many islands in the Caribbean and Pacific. Custis and Annette eventually settled in Hilo, Hawaii, on the Big Island.

Custis is survived by his wife Annette of 28 years, sister Virginia, sister in-law Sylvia, daughter Ruth, daughter Amy and husband Fred, son Custis III and wife Amy and four stepchildren. He was blessed with seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, one step-great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: The Koshare Indian Museum and Dancers; 115 West 18th Street, La Junta, CO 81050 or to The American Heart Association; 4380 SW Macadam Ave #480; Portland, OR 97239

The family would welcome any memories you would like to share for our keepsakes. You can email them in any length to: custisgreen@comcast.net