Donald Irven Green

Donald Irven Green, 86, of Tallahassee, FL passed away on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee. His wishes are to be cremated and his remains taken back to Wyoming to be spread at one of his favorite fishing holes.

Don was born on January 29, 1935, in Rapid City, SD to Chauncey and Erma (Conklin) Green. He attended school in Deadwood, SD, Anaconda, MT, and Pierre, SD. For a time, he also went to school in Keystone, SD while his father worked on the carving of Mount Rushmore. Don was a member of the National Guard in South Dakota. Part of his career was spent as a paint contractor with his father working on the silos for the Minute Man Missiles located across South Dakota.

Don was married to Rose Marie Higgins (Derby) on November 4, 1953. During their 13 year marriage, they welcomed six children, Donna, Barbara, Lee Ann, Donald, Janette, and Kathleen.

On September 2, 1967, Don married Colleen Curtis, daughter of George and Louise Curtis in Newcastle, WY. During their early marriage, they traveled quite a bit living in South Dakota, Alaska, and Idaho, before settling back in Newcastle. On May 8, 1976, Don and Colleen welcomed their daughter, Carrie Ann to the world. During their time in Newcastle, Don was a police officer for the Newcastle Police Department and then went into over the road trucking. He owned two semi trucks during that time and leased them to Western Trucking out of Montana. He retired from trucking in 1994 after suffering a slight stroke. Don then worked part time for the News Letter Journal in distributions. In 2008, he retired to Tallahassee, FL with his wife where they joined their daughter, Carrie.

Don loved fishing and camping throughout Wyoming and South Dakota including in the Big Horns, Black Hills, and Oahe Dam. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family playing cards and just chatting. He also had a love for motorcycles, especially his Honda Gold Wing. One of his favorite pastimes upon moving to Florida was sitting on his front porch people and bird watching (especially humming birds) with his dog, Molly.

He is survived by seven children, Donna (Keith) Glanzer of Spokane, WA; Barbara (Alan) Baldwin of Watertown, SD; Lee Ann Kurtz of Gillette, WY; Donald Brian (Julie Carlson) Green of Belle Fourche, SD; Janette Wilder of Tigard, OR; Kathleen (Blaine) Kerns of Parkman, WY; and Carrie (Daniel) Cook of Tallahassee, FL. He is known as “Pompa” and “Grandpa” by 27 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Chauncine (Tom) Clausen of Corvallis, OR; and his nieces and nephews, Shannon Proctor of Corvallis, OR; Gail (Hal) Richardson of Gilbert, AZ; Joann Green of Apache Junction, AZ; Owen (Gloria) Green of Tempe, AZ; and David (Shari) Green of Deer Mountain, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Delmar; Delmar’s wife, Garnet; a sister, Donna Mae; and his nephew, Mark Proctor.

At this time, no services are planned as it is Don’s wishes to have his remains return to Wyoming which will occur at a later date. Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, FL will be handling the cremation. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to can make a donation in Don’s memory to the Big Bend Hospice Foundation, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308 or online at https://bigbendhospice.charityproud.org/Donate.