Obituary for John W. Green

John W. Green was born May 27, 1942 in Knoxville, TN and departed peacefully from this life on February 24, 2021, due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. He grew up in the Park City Community of Knoxville where he was known as an exceptional baseball player. He also shared close family ties with his relatives in Rutledge and Morristown, TN.

After graduating from Austin High School in 1961, he joined the Air Force where he served honorably for 4 years. While in the Air Force he attended Utica College in New York. After being honorably discharged he returned to Knoxville and was employed by ORNL. He also attended classes at University of Tennessee Knoxville. He was employed at Oak Ridge National Laboratories as a machinist supervisor for 33 years where he retired. He was an active member of CEC Church and Greater Warner Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church for many years. Later, he attended Lomax Temple A.M.E. Zion Church.

John enjoyed many hobbies including motorcycle riding, bowling, and fishing. He also enjoyed sports with a special love for baseball. However, he was most known as a passionate, skilled wood craftsman. He spent countless hours creating and building wooden works of art. Many of his creations are showcased in churches and homes throughout East TN. He never met a stranger and loved entertaining family and friends with his hilarious stories.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Phyllis Cecelia Green; sons, Ivan “Marc” Green (Stephanie) and Patrick Green of Knoxville, TN; brother Ronald (Iva) Green of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren: Jasmine of Nashville, TN, Nathan Green, Christopher Green, and Andrew Green all of Knoxville, TN; nephews: Ron Green, of Knoxville, TN, Daryl C. Terrell of Riverside, CA, Phillip Terrell of Decatur, GA, Jason Terrell, College Park, GA, and Andre Green of Atwater, CA. Nieces: Angela Green-O’Neal, of Knoxville, TN, Karla Green-Cook, of Knoxville, TN, Dawn Green of Houston, TX and Nichole (Patrick) Pritchard of Smyrna, GA, special friends: Alice Sgourakis of Oakland, CA, Theodore Scott and family of Palmyra, NJ, James Theower of San Diego, CA, Marie Simpson of Knoxville, TN, and host of family and friends from Marion North Carolina.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Michael Passarello and his team with Summit Medical Group, Fort Sanders Medical Center staff, and the caring nurses and staff from Alzheimer’s Association of East TN, Avalon Hospice Center, and East TN Healthcare Center in Madisonville, TN for their effort, care, and dedication.

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