John Oliver Green, Sr. passed peacefully on the morning of June 28, 2019.  John was born on March 1, 1938 to Henry Allen Green and Frances Jones Green, in Newport News, Virginia.  He accepted Christ and was baptized at Second Baptist Church, now Miracle Temple Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia.

John grew up in Newport News, Virginia.  He was a 1957 graduate of Huntington High School.  While in high school, he worked as an usher at the Jefferson Theater and his brother, James (Jimmy) worked as an usher at the Moton Theater, both theaters were in Newport News.

He also joined the U. S. Army Reserves in 1957 and retired as Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) on March 1, 1998, after 41 years of service.  All who knew John knew he was a military man thru and thru.  He also worked under the high school's Diversified Occupation Program and trained to be carpenter.  With the skills learned in this program he learned carpentry skills which he later used to build such things as beds, bookcases, cabinets, tables, chairs, etc.  He became a general "handyman."  He once stated building steps for a short person to get in bed.  Before he finished, he had a waiting list of orders.  After high school, he worked for the C & P telephone Company.  He later moved to Baltimore, Maryland and worked as Tugboat Engineer at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard.  He worked there until he retired from Civil Service.  After his retirement, he relocated to Richmond, Virginia.

John had two loving children; son, John "Johnny" O. Green, Jr. of Richmond, Virginia and daughter, Velma S. Green of Baltimore, Maryland.

His son, Johnny, said his Dad always had to be right and it took a lot of convincing to make him change his mind.  He was a jokester and always had something funny to say.  He loved to cook and entertain.  Rev. Cheryl, his daughter-in-law, said he made a "mean" cup of coffee using cinnamon, Irish crème and sugar to taste.  John loved sweets and was a fanatic about reading the daily newspaper from front to back.  He also enjoyed traveling.  His favorite football teams were the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Ravens.  He was a member of the Military Retirees Club in Richmond, Virginia.  He often cooked for many club functions.  He was also a member of the Prince Hall Masons of Newport News, Virginia.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Frances Green; his son,  John Oliver Green, Jr.; three sisters, Alease Trusty, Frances Williams, and Helen McPhatter; four brothers, George Green, James Green, Clarence Green and Floyd Green.

John leaves to mourn his passing his devoted daughter, Velma S. Green of Baltimore, Maryland; his loving daughter-in-law, Reverend Doctor Cheryl Ivey Green of Richmond, Virginia; one brother, Bernard Green (Patricia) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and sister, Myrtle Hundley of Hampton, Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many other relatives and friends.  John will be sorely missed.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk.  Viewing will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home, followed by family visitation from 6 to 7 p.m.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.