Donald E. Green was born on June 18, 1949 to the late Peter Green Jr. and Ethel Green in Birmingham, Alabama.  He attended Princeton Elementary and graduated from A.H. Parker High School in the class of 1967. Donald immediately joined the United States Armed Forces where he served in Vietnam. He later searched for employment, settled in Ohio and became a longtime resident for more than 45 years.

Donald accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized in the early 1980’s at New Hope Baptist Church. For four decades, he was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church and served on the Usher Board Ministry, The  Trustee Ministry, The Van Ministry and was a devoted member of the Cancer Support Ministry. Keeping the church safe, he monitored the parking lot, as well as the doors during morning worship.

Donald received his CDL license and after 37 years, he retired from AT&T Telecommunications Company. He would share fond memories about transporting telephone line equipment throughout different cities and would reminisce about the good ole days driving the truck with fellow co-workers.  He thoroughly enjoyed attending train and car shows. He was a loyal fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers (in Brown’s country) and displayed his love for Alabama Crimson Tide. One of his favorite sayings would be, “Roll Tide!” This would follow with fond stories about the rich history of Birmingham, AL.

On a daily basis, he would wear his Vietnam Veteran symbol and he proudly displayed his bumper sticker on the back of his vehicle. Donald was a quiet man who would perk up and initiate a meaningful conversation with veteran comrades in public places. A true warrior, during his transition, he said, “soldiers do not die, they just fade away.”

Donald married Gwen (Morris). They spent their retirement traveling with family until failing health precluded them from international travel.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter Jr. and Ethel Green; and spouse, Gwen Green.

He leaves to cherish his memory, son, Daryl Green of Berkeley, California; two daughters, Sherice (Gregory) Freeman of Hartville, Ohio and Shirlene (Davon) Kent of Charlotte, North Carolina; three granddaughters, Rhegan, Rylee and Reiss Kent of Charlotte, NC; two brothers, Peter (Brenda) of Birmingham, AL and Reginald (Denise) Green of Olive Branch, Mississippi; one sister; Sharon (Tommie) Adams of Birmingham, Alabama; one sister-in-law, Barbara (James) Richardson and two brothers-in-law, James Jr. and Jeffrey Morris, all of Akron, Ohio; one niece, Diavian Adams and two nephews, Dante Adams and Reginald Green Jr., all of Birmingham, Alabama; one aunt, Bessie Knight and special cousins, Ethelyn McGowan, Charles Jones Sr., Vickie Joyner, Dawna Mouton, Daisy Bales and a host of family and friends.

A heartfelt thanks to Louis Stokes Veteran Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General Oncology/Hematology and Dialysis Care center.