James Arthur Green Jr.
James Arthur Green Jr., 87, of Portales, N.M., died May 6, 2011. He was born in Ira on Jan. 19, 1924, to James Arthur and Katie Green.
He grew up on a farm near Snyder. In 1942, a few days after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a medical corpsman with the Marine Corps. He served at Midway Island and Okinawa. Shortly after his discharge, he married Lillian Simpson on June 9, 1946, in Welch.
He attended Abilene Christian College, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. He taught and coached girls basketball in Beulah and Sudan before entering the ministry.
His first church was in Longview. From there, he served in Poplar, Mont., and then returned to Longview. Later, he was a minister in Bloomfield, N.M., and Kingsland before going to Portales at Emmanuel Baptist Church. He moved from Portales to Jal, N.M., where he remained until 1988 when he retired and moved to Lubbock. About four years ago, he returned to Portales to live near his daughter and son-in-law.
He was very active in the International Crusade for Christ and had traveled to numerous countries. He served on the board of directors for the Southern Baptist Convention.
For many years, he was camp director at Sivells Baptist Encampment. He enjoyed running a trotline and hunting.
Survivors include his wife of almost 65 years Lillian Green of Portales, N.M.; son Ara Green and wife Kim of Gallup, N.M.; daughter Sherrizan Skinner and husband San of Portales, N.M.; grandchildren Cody Skinner and wife Tara of Artesia, N.M., Cade Skinner of Portales, N.M., Ara Nicole Sanders and husband Cale of Lubbock, Tara Long and husband Matthew of Spring, and Zachary Green and fiancé Breyanna Gordon of Ruston, La.; and great-grandchildren Presley, Zane, Katelynn and Collin Skinner and Casten and Ara Bella Sanders.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters Juanita Outlaw, Myrtalee Wiseman and Juana McCleskey.
A service was May 9 at Emmanuel Baptist Church with the reverends Joe Bunce and Don Hayhurst officiating. Burial followed in Portales Cemetery with Cody Skinner, Cade Skinner, Zachary Green, Cale Sanders, Matthew Long, Anthony Merino, Ron Blakley and Andy Hill serving as pallbearers.
All of the many Timothies he had discipled throughout the years were honorary pallbearers.
Arrangements by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales, N.M., (575) 356-4455.