Donald Rupert Green

Donald Rupert Green, age 87, died on July 19, 2014 at his residence in Ocean Springs. He was born in Sherwood, ND to Ruth M. and Rupert E. Green on September 18, 1926. He was an avid sportsman and played high school varsity basketball, football, track, and baseball. In 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became the chief electrician aboard an LST-1027 traveling from Lei New Guinea to China and Japan during World War II. In 1947, he played football for Duluth Junior College. After two years, he transferred to Michigan Technical University, graduating in 1951 with degrees in Electrical and Industrial Engineering. While there, he was sports editor for the weekly college newspaper and yearbook, manager of the college intramural athletic program, and president of his fraternity. He entered the U.S. Air Force upon completion of college and was sent to Keesler Technical Training Center where he met his future wife, Janet. Graduating in 1952 as a Ground Radar Officer, he was transferred to Sado Shima Island where he served as site commander. Don joined the family business, Ferson Optics, after completing his Air Force tour of duty, where he was the production manager and subsequently became president in 1962. In 1968, Ferson Optics was acquired by Bausch & Lomb and he served as division president for the next eight years. In 1976, he and his wife Janet formed PFG (Plummer, Ferson, Green) Optics. During the next five years, he served as director of Plummer Precision Optics, Pennsburg ,PA . He retired from the company in 1996. Don was very active in civic affairs and was past president of the Ocean Springs Jaycees, Rotary Club of Ocean Springs, Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce and Gulf Hills Men’s Golf Club. During the year he was president of the Jaycees, the organization played an instrumental part in the passage of a bond issue to build the Ocean Springs Hospital. Don was a long-time member of the Hancock Bank Board of Directors. He served on the Board of Directors of the Jackson and George County Salvation Army. Don was a devoted parishioner of the Biloxi Episcopal Church of the Redeemer and served as lay reader, member of the vestry, greeter, and usher. Don’s zest for life extended into many areas. He was a pilot with multi engine and instrument ratings and flew to Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, and Central America. His hobbies included golf, tennis, and snow skiing. The latter hobby was his greatest joy in life. He primarily skied at his second home in Beaver Creek, CO as well as other U.S. ski resorts, but also skied in British Columbia, Chile, and Europe. Throughout the years, he won dozens of NASTAR medals for giant slalom racing culminating in the national gold medal at age 85. He enjoyed ballroom dancing as well and participated in numerous competitions and show cases in the immediate area. “Ace”, as he was affectionally called by his immediate family, is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janet Ferson Green, his brother, Geoffrey (Mary); four children, Gayden, Travis (Patricia), Colin (Terri), and Courtney (Becky) and ten grandchildren, Dr. Shannon Simon (JP)(Denver, CO), Eamonn Green (Atlanta, GA), Kyle Green (Ocean Springs), Dr. Taryn Green (Jackson, MS), Kale Green (Atlanta, GA), Trevor Green (Atlanta, GA), Owen Green (Denver, CO), Matthew Green (Mobile, AL), Ian Green (Biloxi), and Brennan Green (Ocean Springs). A memorial service will be held at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 6:00 pm. Friends may visit from 4:00 pm until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 1904 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532.