Hiram Ralph Green Jr.

Hiram Ralph Green, Jr. was born to Hiram Ralph Green, Sr. and Annette Marie Arnot Green in Mobile, Alabama on May 29, 1944. He made his earthly exit for his heavenly entrance on December 7, 2023, from the comfort of his own home while surrounded by his loved ones.

Ralph was an outstanding athlete and loved sports his entire life. He and Paul Crane graduated from Vigor High School in 1962. They were lifelong friends and confidantes sharing their memories as football teammates. Their love of the game found safe berth as they watched the Tide roll over rivals year after year.

Ralph’s passion for athletics grew when he began coaching his young sons in baseball at Amelia Park throughout their childhood. He supported his children, his nephews and grandchildren at all their sporting events from elementary school to college scholarship play.

Ever active, Ralph found a way to turn “dancing to the oldies” into a lifetime sport. He attributed his great skill on the dance floor to the excellent instruction he received from his sisters during escapades of his youth at Johnson’s Lake and in the Green family living room. Ralph paid it forward in midlife by giving a young man dance lessons so he could dance with his bride on their wedding day. He even turned his spacious den at home into a dance floor every Saturday night for years as he and his bride, Linda, danced the night away to Percy Sledge and other greats.

Ralph was a man of deep and genuine faith. He served as a deacon, a Royal Ambassador leader, a basketball coach and a pitcher for the the men's league at his former church, Lafitte Baptist in Saraland.

Ralph was a valued employee for 37 years at International Paper Company in Moss Point, Mississippi. He enjoyed his work and the strong bonds with his co workers in the mill. Ralph was most appreciated for his sense of humor and ability to pull a good prank. Ralph handled the shiftwork and shutdowns and confinement that is part of paper making with discipline and determination. He and his work buddies found plenty of outdoor activities to look forward to on their days off. They even made annual trips to Colorado to hunt big game.

Ralph can best be described as an avid outdoorsman. He loved to grow plants of all kinds and took great pride in keeping his lawn in perfect order. He took early retirement to enjoy his two very favorite hobbies. He welcomed the opening of deer season each year and taught many youngsters how to safely take their first shot. Ralph was a natural born teacher. He was called “Catfish Green” by a class of fishermen on the Tensaw River who begged him to teach them the tricks to landing huge yellow cats in the Mobile Delta. Ralph routinely held court on his houseboat and tried to school the wannabees on the art of baiting limb lines. He never gave away the location of the best fishing spots and he never brought in a catch without acknowledging, “How good the Lord has been to me.” Ralph appreciated the gifts of nature as the handiwork of God and was forever grateful.

Ralph Green was, above all, a devoted family man. He is predeceased by his parents and stepdaughter, Kristina Cooper. He is survived by his wife, Linda McAll Green, his three children, Ralph Benjamin(Benny) (Debbie) Green, Aurelia Annette Green (Chip) Travis and Anthony Neal Green, and his siblings Annette Marie Green Bunch, Sandra Ann Green Hand and Gregory Arnot Green. Ralph held his grandchildren close to his heart every day of their lives. He cherished Kayleigh (Spencer) Richmond, Corey Green, Cole Barret Travis, Claire (Russ) Taylor, Madison (Paul) Mallon, Karson Green, Brandon Green and Breanna Green. Ralph’s great-grandchildren are Braxton Green and Breely Green, and two more great grands will arrive in 2024, baby boy Taylor and baby girl Mallon. He has also survived by nieces and nephews who were an important part of his life. He is also survived by his stepsons, Josh (Marie) Cooper and Matt Cooper. Ralph’s step-grandchildren are Klaire Lynn Cooper and Jayden Cooper.

Family and friends whose lives have been touched by Ralph Green are invited to a Celebration of Life service at Wilson Avenue Baptist Church in Saraland at noon on December 16, 2023 where he has been a member for almost twenty years. The family will receive those wishing to pay last respects at the visitation at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.