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Gerald Rodney Greene
Monday, January 5, 2009 12:35 PM EST
US Army, Military Police; Army aviator, 1961-1979, Vietnam, Korea and Europe, Bronze Star recipient
Gerald Rodney Greene, age 75, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, Gainesville.
A native of Detroit, Gerald was born on Dec. 25, 1933. Following graduation from Saint Anthony High School in Detroit on June 8, 1952, he attended Michigan Tech. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and served as a military policeman. By 1959 he had gained his commission. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in general education with a major in history from the University of Omaha in 1965. He continued to further his studies at Troy State University, Ft. Rucker campus. Serving as an Army aviator from 1961 up until the time of his retirement in 1979, Gerald served two tours of duty in Vietnam as well as tours in Korea and Europe. He distinguished himself by earning the Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam in 1962. He retired at Ft. Rucker, Ala. at the rank of Lt. Col. after 26 years of dedicated service. Upon his retirement, Gerald moved his family to Florida where he worked for the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. He retired from his second career on Nov 1, 1994.
Gerald had many interests. He was an avid outdoorsman, landscaper, and gardener. He enjoyed genealogy research and was passionate about opera. Gerald spent his summers in Gaylord, a town that his great-grandfather helped to establish. He was a member of the Army Corps of Aviators, Army Otter-Caribou Association, Otsego County Historical Society, Gaylord Fact Finders, Vietnam Helicopter Pilot’s Association, MENSA, Phi Alpha Theta, Sons of the American Revolution, the Elks, the Eagles, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his two sisters, Patricia Kroh and Carole (Richard) Hunter. He is also survived by his wife of four years, Virginia Catherine Martineau; his four daughters, Gretchen Greene (Michael Capell), Cristine (Jimmy) Garner, Kara Tackett and Catherine Steen (Rebekah Robinette); three step-children, Joni Day (Randall Eis), Sally (Laurence) DuBois and Mitchell (Tina) Martineau; his former wife of 43 years, Beverly Ann Aronson; and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends and extended family.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents, Gerald Greene and Josephine “Betty” Dipzinski.
A native of Detroit, Gerald was born on Dec. 25, 1933. Following graduation from Saint Anthony High School in Detroit on June 8, 1952, he attended Michigan Tech. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and served as a military policeman. By 1959 he had gained his commission. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in general education with a major in history from the University of Omaha in 1965. He continued to further his studies at Troy State University, Ft. Rucker campus. Serving as an Army aviator from 1961 up until the time of his retirement in 1979, Gerald served two tours of duty in Vietnam as well as tours in Korea and Europe. He distinguished himself by earning the Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam in 1962. He retired at Ft. Rucker, Ala. at the rank of Lt. Col. after 26 years of dedicated service. Upon his retirement, Gerald moved his family to Florida where he worked for the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. He retired from his second career on Nov 1, 1994.
Gerald had many interests. He was an avid outdoorsman, landscaper, and gardener. He enjoyed genealogy research and was passionate about opera. Gerald spent his summers in Gaylord, a town that his great-grandfather helped to establish. He was a member of the Army Corps of Aviators, Army Otter-Caribou Association, Otsego County Historical Society, Gaylord Fact Finders, Vietnam Helicopter Pilot’s Association, MENSA, Phi Alpha Theta, Sons of the American Revolution, the Elks, the Eagles, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his two sisters, Patricia Kroh and Carole (Richard) Hunter. He is also survived by his wife of four years, Virginia Catherine Martineau; his four daughters, Gretchen Greene (Michael Capell), Cristine (Jimmy) Garner, Kara Tackett and Catherine Steen (Rebekah Robinette); three step-children, Joni Day (Randall Eis), Sally (Laurence) DuBois and Mitchell (Tina) Martineau; his former wife of 43 years, Beverly Ann Aronson; and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends and extended family.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents, Gerald Greene and Josephine “Betty” Dipzinski.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 at 1 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord. Visitation will be held at the Nelson Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked memorial donations be made to either the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.
Friends may share condolences online at www.nelsonsfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked memorial donations be made to either the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.
Friends may share condolences online at www.nelsonsfuneralhome.com.
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