Thomas Wayne Green

Tom was born November 8, 1937 in Baker, Montana to Cecil Almon Green and Barbara E. Elaine (Jorgenson) Green.

Elementary Education: First grade through grade three in Baker, Montana. The remaining years in a one room country school near Bowman, North Dakota.

High School: Richland, Washington

Military: On November 10, 1954, at the young age of 17, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served 4 years until his discharge September 11, 1958.

Marriage: June 20, 1959 Tom was united in marriage to Sylvia Ann Njos in the little Lutheran country Church at Ladner, South Dakota. Together, they lived a very brief time on a ranch in North Dakota, then a brief time in Denver, Colorado, finally in late 1960, they moved to Riverside, California where Tom, using his GI Bill benefits and driving a school bus, attended Riverside City College majoring in Business. While living in Riverside their children were born; daughter, Carmen and son, Mark. After one year of college, he was hired by Security 1st National Bank of California which began his banking career spanning approximately 10 years beginning in Riverside, California then Rialto, California, Rhame, North Dakota and finally in Yakima, Washington.

Both of us, cherishing the wide open country where we were raised, wanted to provide the same kind of life for our children. Therefore in April 1965 we moved from Riverside to North Dakota where Tom worked at the Bank of Rhame, while at the same time, raised cattle and sheep on a ranch. In late 1966 Tom was hired in Seattle by National Bank of Commerce and transferred to the Yakima area, arriving December 15, 1966, where we made our permanent home. Later he worked as a loan officer and inventory inspector at Pacific National Bank of Washington in Yakima through which he saw the opportunity of starting his own business in the Manufactured Housing Business. In 1970 Tom opened his first Dealership in Yakima operating it until 1979. During those years (in 1978) the business became the largest single independent Bendix Dealership in the entire United States. He semi-retired to the ranching business on a beautiful little spot in the Wenas area, located at the base of Cascades, raising cattle and sheep. He sold the ranch and returned to the Housing Industry in 1985. He chose Western Washington area to once again begin operation. Rochester, Washington was the first location of his new business named Royal Homes, Inc. At one point, Royal Homes had stores in Olympia, Tacoma, Poulsbo, Wenatchee and again in Yakima. These stores were “family owned and operated.” During his 35+ years in this industry, the businesses earned numerous achievement awards in sales volume and customer service.

Tom was one of the founding members of the Washington Mobile Home Dealers Association that eventually evolved to today’s “Northwest Housing Association.” Tom served on the Board of Directors for more than 25 years and served as President in 1993.

In high school, Tom excelled in basketball and apparently was a skilled boxer in the Air Force. Through the years, Tom was a member of and/or participated in organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, YMCA and Yakima Country Club. In his years of fitness, he played racket ball but bowling, fishing and golfing were his favorite forms of recreation.

It’s very difficult to follow the strict instruction that he gave us just prior to his passing. He said, “I don’t want a long drawn out dissertation or embellishment for my obituary,” “keep it short.” Had he written his own, he probably would have said, “I was born, I lived and I died.” But, please bear with us, as we would like to share a bit about the man he was.

He would not be at all surprised that I’m not following his orders.

His love and commitment for his son, daughter, son-in-law and me ran deep – so deep, that it was difficult for him to verbally express his feelings. However, he didn’t fool us. We knew. We usually got his kudos for us via second hand, through someone else. He was constantly protecting, providing, guiding and, I might add, advising and directing. For all these things, we are forever grateful to him. He was quiet, reserved, thoughtful, kind and soft spoken. He was honest and fair in his dealings – a man of few words but always “thinking.” Only his family and long-time acquaintances knew of his quick wit and humor.

Some of his parting words were giving credit to God for walking beside him throughout life. He reflected on his very humble beginnings, and especially the misfortune of losing his mother at his young age of 3 years 11 months. Therefore, he expressed his gratitude for the many good people, relatives, neighbors, teachers and others who cared for him and helped him grow up. It was these people who influenced and shaped his boyhood and teenage years.

He, then, continued on to reminisce of his adult life and more recent years. He mentioned the many opportunities given him to prosper, enabling him to provide for his family and for the privileges and benefits of many fun fishing and golfing trips and travels to many places near and far such as Europe, Central America, Mexico and, especially, many trips to Hawaii – his favorite. He spoke of his gratitude for his family, friends, employees, business associates and the many good doctors who cared for him through the years and to the end – especially (the late) Dr. Donald Ballew and his current doctor, Dr. Gabriel Lascar both of whom he considered his friends.

He was baptized as a child in Baker, Montana and eventually became a long time member of the Lutheran Church. Due to numerous health issues over the past 6 – 8 years, it became difficult for him to attend church or any other activity for that matter. Despite this fact, his church family was very important to him. Three pastors in particular that greatly influenced his life were his friends, (the late) Pastor Steve Morrison, Pastor Melvin Teske and Pastor Toby Joeckel.

There is one very important thing that was included in his specific instruction and final words. He emphatically wanted it told to everyone. It was this: “I want everyone to know that Christ is my Savior!”

Tom is lovingly survived by his wife, Sylvia; daughter, Carmen Lowrie (Glenn); son, Mark Green; sister, Sharon Myers, Montana; sister, Pamela “Barbara” Miller, Washington; brother, Richard Green (Robbie), California; sister, Karen Coonrad (Dan),Washington; sister, Pattie Bateman (Lynn), Washington; sister-in-law, Ruth Green, Oregon; six(6) nieces; nine (9) nephews and 2 step-granddaughters.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara and Cecil Green; nephew, Warren Myers; brother-in-law, LaVern Miller; brother-in-law, Wayne Myers; former sister-in-law, Mary Alice Green and brother, John “Jack” D. Green.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorials may be made to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Yakima, Washington; Compassion International; or, to the charity of your choice.

Please come as you are. Be comfortable. It’s your presence we value.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 23, 2016 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 24th at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Tom will be laid to rest at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.