Otis J. Greene Jr. "O.J."

Otis Jarield Greene, Jr., known to all who loved him as O.J., was born on August 25, 1940 in Ellenton, South Carolina. He lived most of his childhood in Charleston, graduating from St. Andrew’s High School.

Inspired as a young boy by a recruiting poster showing an F9 fighter plane launching from an aircraft carrier, he set his sights on becoming a naval aviator and fulfilled that dream by enrolling at Clemson University where he received an Associates Degree in order to meet the Navy requirement to enter flight school.

He entered Navy flight training in Pensacola, FL in 1961, progressing through every stage of the demanding Naval Aviation Cadet program before earning his wings and commission as an officer. On a weekend trip to Mobile, AL, driving his 1959 Chevrolet red convertible, he met Regina (Gina) Odom at Johnny’s Drive-In where he says that he fell in love with her right then and there. Gina and O.J. married on September 25, 1962 and were married for 64 years during which they remained deeply in love and had 3 children, Tiffany, Trey (O.J., III), and Jennifer.

As a naval pilot at his first duty station in Brunswick in 1963, O.J. experienced an in-flight fire and survived an ejection at 20,000 feet over the Atlantic. In 1964, O.J. flew the A-4 Skyhawk in the Blue Tail Squadron from an aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Coral Sea, surviving enemy fire causing aircraft damage several times. He faithfully served his country during an historic eleven-month deployment— the longest naval deployments of its time. After completing his active-duty service, he continued flying as a Naval Reservist before beginning a distinguished civilian aviation career with Delta Air Lines in 1966. After 34 years of an honored and distinguished career as a pilot, he retired from Delta as an International Captain on the L10-11.

O.J. had the spiritual gift of service, and he took care of everyone. His Christian faith and Christ was the center of his life, and God used him in mighty ways. His love for family was evident from cooking pancakes for the family on weekends, to maintaining a horse farm for his kids and grandkids, to travelling with family and spending time together at his home away from home in Pensacola. He was warmly nicknamed, Honey Do because of the way he helped everyone with their to-do lists, and he could build or repair anything and everything, a skill he taught to his children and grandchildren. Known affectionately as PaPa to his 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, he spent countless hours travelling for college visits, sporting events, and horse shows.

On July 27, 2026, at the age of 85, O.J. peacefully joined the loving embrace of his Lord surrounded by his wife and three children. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and love with a large family, all because 2 people fell in love.

O.J. is predeceased by his parents, Otis and Mary Green. He is survived by his beloved wife, Gina; his daughter, Tiffany Houston (Shane) of Buford; his son, O.J. Greene, III (Shannon) of Ridge Manor, FL; his daughter Jennifer Greene (Ray Tillery) of Madison; his adoring grandchildren, Kollin Houston (Matthew Tinahui) of Buford, Kolton Houston (Alexis) of Jefferson, Konnor Houston (Kalyn) of Woodstock, Kayleigh Greene of Athens, Peyton Greene, Parker Greene, and Caleb Greene of Ridge Manor, FL, Brittany Naude (Jimmy) of Statesboro; and his great-grandchildren, Harvey Houston, Hayes Houston, Charlotte Naude and Dylan Naude.

A graveside funeral service to celebrate and honor his life will be held in Snellville at Eternal Hills Cemetery in the Veterans Field of Honor on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

Eternal Hills Funeral Home (770-972-3155) may be contacted as needed for flowers, or donations are appreciated in O.J.’s honor to his church, Cross Pointe Church (1800 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, GA 30097).