Francis “Frank” E. Green died peacefully on Jan. 30, 2011, surrounded by family, at Martha Lake View in Lynnwood.
He was born to Hollis E. Green and Edna Genevieve Anderson Green on Oct. 5, 1918 in Waitsburg, Wash. Frank moved to Seattle with his younger brother Bob and his mother when he was a young boy, but spent many fun (working) summers in Prescott at his Uncle Harry’s farm. He graduated from Broadway High School in 1937.
In 1941 he graduated from Whitman College where he made lifelong friends. He enjoyed attending several reunions at Whitman.
Frank enlisted in the Navy in 1941. After receiving his wings he trained pilots at Corpus Christi, Texas for the growing Pacific Fleet. He was a carrier pilot and landing signal officer on the aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood, in Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He served in the Naval Air Reserve at Sand Point from 1946 until 1957 and separated as a lieutenant commander after serving as commanding officer of VF-891. His most important activity while in the Navy was meeting and marrying our mother Betty O’Grady, a WAVE from Buffalo, N.Y.
Frank and Betty married on July 3, 1943 in Corpus Christi.
After the war they settled in Seattle, where they brought up eight children, first in Lake City, and then on Capital Hill. He was an active participant in his children’s activities. He coached CYO basketball, baseball and track at St. Joseph’s School. He was active in Republican politics. He loved hunting in the fall with his Labs and camping in the summer with family and friends.
In the late 1970s, Frank retired from First Interstate Bank and moved to Whidbey Island, where he and his wife Betty built a home outside Langley.
After retirement he was finally able to indulge his passion for golf. He took college classes in literature and writing and learned to bake bread. He loved growing and showing his roses at the Island County Fair in Langley. The house at Seashore Siesta became a magnet for celebrations with family and friends. Eight children and 16 grandchildren treasure the time spent there.
In 1999 he lost his beloved wife Betty after 55 years of marriage. He married Lorraine Hougham in 2002. He enjoyed a trip to Egypt with her in 2004.
Survivors include his wife Lorraine Hougham of Whidbey Island, his children: Gretchen (Vince) Sellen and Kevin (Holly) Green of Anacortes, Katy (Palmer) Pollock of Lake Forest Park, Susan (Bill) Koss of Olympia, Laurie (Bob) Taylor of Snohomish, Marilyn (Steve) Conway, Erin McBride and F. Joe Green, all of Seattle. His grandchildren are: Kelly (Sean) Hall, Josh Robinson, Caitlin Green, Emily, Elizabeth and Colleen Pollock, Matthew (Liz) Taylor, Meghan Taylor, Ben and Reid Koss, Genevieve (Josh) Stuber, Kirsten Conway, Sean and Molly McBride, and Paris and Annique Green. He has three great-grandchildren with one more on the way. Frank is also survived by several neices and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Betty and his brother Bob.
The funeral was held Feb. 4 at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Langley. Visser Funeral Home of Langley was entrusted with arrangements.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Whitman College Scholarship Fund, 345 Boyer Ave.
Friends and family may also view the online obituary, sign and leave messages at www.visserfuneralhome.com.
