Donald Wayne “Coach” Green, 69, a resident of Daphne, died Thursday, April 14, 2011 at his home.
He grew up in Birmingham, graduating from Jones Valley High School where he lettered in baseball, football and basketball. He attended Florida State University and Samford University earning a BS degree and lettered in football. He earned graduate degrees from the University of Alabama.
His teaching and coaching career began at Banks High School then, Jefferson State Junior College. In his 28 years as a baseball coach, his teams compiled a record of 622-428, ranking him as the 27th winningest baseball coach, among the inactive National Junior College Athletic Association of Coaches nationwide. His teams won 10 division championships and two regional championships. He was named Northern Division Coach of the Year nine times and Coach of the Year for Region XXII, twice.
In addition to coaching, he promoted baseball in Alabama, he served as president of the NJCAA Baseball Committee. From 1991 through 1996, he held the position of athletic director at Jefferson State Community College. His love of sports was further demonstrated by coaching his two sons in the youth YMCA Basketball Program for many years.
Since retirement in 1996, he continued his community involvement. He was a volunteer in the Interfaith Hospitality Network, serving two years as co-tournament director and one year as president of the Timber Creek Men’s Golf Association. He has also served on the Eastern Shore Challenge Cup Committee. In 2001, he was inducted into the Alabama Baseball Coaches Hall of fame and in 2004, into the Alabama Community College Conference Hall of fame.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Green; two sons, Derek (Lisa) Green and Chad (Stephanie) Green; three grandchildren, Stephanie Claire, Wyatt Cash and Austin Cole; brother, Michael (Sherry) Green; his mother; and other relatives.
Visitation begins at 1 p.m. with services at 2 p.m., Monday, April 18 at Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Julian Walthall officiating. A reception will follow the service at the Green home.
The family requests memorial donations be to The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486.
Arrangements are by Hughes Cremation & Funeral Service, Daphne. Online condolences may be made at hughesfuneralservice.com.
