James H. Green

James Homer Green (Coach Green), 80, of Houston died peacefully on Sunday afternoon August 24, 2014. He is survived by his daughters, Antoinette and Cynthia; sons, Michael and Mark, grandson, Michael II, and sister, Mozell Washington; as well as many relatives, friends and former students. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Lizzie Marie Duncan Green in 2000 and two sons, James Patrick Green in 2010 and Darrell Phillip Green in 2014. James Homer Green was born in Houston on December 28, 1933 to Christine Burton and James Green. James graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1953 where he met the love of his life, Lizzie Marie Duncan, marrying in 1955. During his time at Wheatley, James was an All-City track and football player serving as team captain and also as President of the Student Council. James earned a B.A. degree from Texas Southern University in 1957 while participating on the football, track, and gymnastics teams. Upon graduation, he began his long career working as a teacher and coach of football, track and field, and basketball in the Houston Independent School District where Coach Green positively impacted the lives of many students. His coaching resume includes experience at the junior high level at E.O. Smith, Harper, Lockett and Attucks. He then moved up to high school coaching at Booker T. Washington (head football coach 1981-1986), Jack Yates and his alma mater, Wheatley. During his career, James continued his education earning an M.S. degree from Prairie View A&M University in 1974 and Administration Certification in 1976. James enjoyed a successful coaching career taking his Booker T. Washington teams to four straight trips to the State high school football playoffs; four district championships in boys track with two 2nd place finishes at the State Track Meet and numerous 1st place rankings in local track meets (TSU Relays, Texas Relays, Border Olympics, etc.). While at Jack Yates, the teams were State runner-up in both football and girls track. After retiring from HISD coaching in 1998, James spent his free time golfing, hunting, and fishing until his activity was limited by health issues in 2010. James was honored by the Texas African American Coaches Association in 2002 when he was inducted into the Hall of Honor in Track and Football. In 2006, he was inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Gulf Coast Scholastic Track Coaches Association. James was a lifetime member of the Texas High School Coaches Association. He was also a member of the Texas Health and Physical Education Association, the Houston Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers, the Texas Retired Teachers Association, the Safe Handling of Guns (S.H.O.G) Hunting Club, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 30th at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Carl Barnes Funeral Home, 746 West 22nd Street, with visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Houston Memorial Gardens, 2426 Cullen Boulevard, Pearland, Texas. Serving as active pallbearers are Nathaniel Hawkins, Stanley Roberts, Sr., and other family friends. Honorary pallbearers are sons Michael Green and Mark Green, grandson Michael Green II; nephews Clifton Axel Jr. and Jan Washington; family friend Glenn Smith; and fellow S.H.O.G Hunting Club members.