Col. Joe Bob Green

Joe B. Green. Colonel, USAF(Ret):

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Rancher, And

Highly-Decorated USAF Hero



Joe Bob Green, of Eden, Texas, passed away at the age of 85 on October 8th in San Antonio, Texas. Joe was born on October 25, 1932, in Eden where he grew up with his parents Dee and Maude Green and his sisters Pauline and Lahoma. Joe is survived by his wife, Nancy Glenn Green, his two sons, Kelly Eden Green and James Dee Green, his daughter Janice Mae Hess, his eight grandchildren, Adam Dee Green, Nicholas James Green, Lukas James Green, Melanie Elaine Green, Hannah Green Anderson, Christina Diane Green, Erin Rae Clark, Danielle Christine Hess plus his great grand-daughter Arianna Marie Ramirez.



In 1954, Joe entered the United States Air Force where he became duel rated as a navigator and pilot. He flew typhoon penetration over the Pacific Ocean and provided air support for the nuclear weapons testing on Eniwetok and the Bikini Islands.



From 1958 to 1966, he commanded air rescue units in Europe, Africa, and the United States. In 1962, the German Air Force Chief of Staff, awarded then Captain Green the Danke Medal (Medal of Thanks), for directing over 2,000 US and German helicopter rescue sorties during Hamburg's catastrophic floods. 495 civilians were air lifted to safety and 694 tons of food / supplies were dropped to thousands of stranded survivors. At the time, it was the largest helicopter rescue operation in history.



In 1967 Joe was selected to attend the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base and sent to Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, Joe commanded helicopter rescue crews (to recover shot-down pilots) in Southeast Asia.



Joe personally flew over 30 rescue missions and his bravery led him to be nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor. Joe was awarded the Air Force Cross, 2 Silver Stars, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 8 Air Medals. He was inducted into the Legion of Valor in 1998. Joe Green was one of the most decorated aviators of the Vietnam War.



From 1969 to 1971, Joe was Director of Research and Development Planning, Headquarters, Military Airlift Command. Joe then attended the Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was promoted to Colonel, distinguishing him as one of the youngest Colonels in the Air Force.



Joe then served as Senior Military Advisor to Nicaragua and Bolivia. He wrapped up his 21 exemplary years of service as the Director of Plans and Programs for the USAF Security Service. [In 2012, the Daughters of the American Revolution awarded Joe their prestigious "Founders Medal for Patriotism" in recognition of "displaying outstanding patriotism, the promotion of our American ideals of God, Home, and Country, through faithful and meritorious service to community, state and nation."]





After retirement from the USAF, Joe started a 5-state region for Financial Institutions Services, Inc., a leading national bank marketing organization. Joe's start-up blossomed into the company's highest performing region for nine consecutive years.



In 1978, two dreams came true for Joe. He met and married his beloved Nancy and they agreed it was time to finally purchase ranch lands back home in Concho County. In 1980, Joe and Nancy moved to Eden and set up their ranch for exotic deer, antelope and venison production. Their goal of introducing exotic game ranching to Concho County was realized.



Joe continued to serve his hometown of Eden and held numerous positions with organizations like the Eden State Bank, the Exotic Wildlife Association, the Eden Chamber of Commerce, the Southwestern Wool undefined Mohair Co., Venison World, McCulloch Electric Cooperative, the Axis Oil Corp. and the Concho Valley Private Industry Council.



In 2001, Joe and Nancy retired once again to San Antonio, Texas so they could be more involved in the lives of their children and grandchildren.



[Note from the family of Joe Green] Despite his many accomplishments, Joe's greatest achievement was leading the Green family. He inspired us, he encouraged us, he taught us, but most of all he loved us. He was a role model that we all sought to emulate. He taught us to be humble yet thankful for our many blessings. He taught us to work hard but also to find time for friends and family. He taught us to do what is right but to apologize and make amends when we made mistakes. He taught us that "service" was a noble endeavor and helped us develop a spirit of giving.



Joe Green will be remembered for the unconditional love he had for his friends and family. He was our hero but also our much-needed accountability. He always found subtle ways to make us better. Our hero will be missed greatly but we are so thankful for the life he was able to live and the positive impact he had on so many lives.

Service is 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Eden Church of Christ, 308 W. Bryan St., Eden, TX 76837 followed by burial in Eden Cemetery.



In lieu of flowers please donate to Spirit of Eden Fund, 120 Paint Rock St.-City Hall, PO Box 915, Eden, TX 76837-0915. Funds local organizations and projects: library, museum, etc. https://www.edentexas.com/spirit-of-eden-fund or Returning Heroes Home, PO Box 593336, San Antonio, TX 78259. (210) 979-2500. A special place. A wonderful facility. Doing amazing work. A place that shows the power of the human spirit to prevail and to help. www.returningheroeshome.org.

LINKS

EDEN FUNERAL HOME

San Angelo Standard-Times

http://www.gosanangelo.com