Leroy Hugh Green, age 95 of Hays, Kansas, formerly of Norton and Great Bend, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at Via Christi Village Care Center, Hays, Kansas.
He was born January 14, 1928, in Beaver County, Oklahoma, near the town of Knowles on the farm where he grew up to Earl “Sonny” and Leona (Nichols) Green.
Leroy graduated from high school in 1946 from Gate, Oklahoma. He attended college at Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma, from 1947 until he was drafted into the Army in September 1950. He served for two years as a laboratory technician and then became an active reservist until 1956.
While in the Army, stationed at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, he met his wife Leona (Messer) Green of 68 years. They were married October 6, 1951, and began their family. She preceded him in death on February 29, 2020.
After his honorable discharge from the Army, he worked and attended the University of Pugot Sound in Tacoma and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in August 1954. The following summer he was invited to move back to Gate, Oklahoma and was offered a teaching and coaching position. They moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, a year later where he taught math and attended Central State University and he earned his Master’s of Teaching in Business Administration. For the next twenty years he worked as a Superintendent of Schools at three different school districts in Kansas (Englewood, Cullison and Jennings). While in Jennings, he also farmed and raised cattle which he was very passionate about.
In 1978, they moved to Norton and he opened the Green Insurance Agency and continued to raise a few cattle and pigs. Leroy sold the agency in 1993 but continued to raise a few animals until moving to Great Bend in 1996 where he and Leona continued with their passion of dancing and they became R-Ver’s. They enjoyed time at the lake and attending dances around the area.
Survivors include his sons, Mike Green and wife, Beverly, Maumelle, AR; Kevin Green and wife, Lisa, Victoria, KS; Keith Green and wife, Donna, Hays, KS; Kerry Green and wife, Hope, Jennings, KS; his daughters, Karen Beal and husband, Brett, Wichita, KS;Kim Green, Colorado Springs, CO; his sister-in-law, Idell Green, Laverne, OK; his 16 grandchildren, and his 23 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Leroy “Sonny” and Leona (Nichols) Green, his son, Dennis Patrick Green, his brother, Charles Green; and his sister, LaDora Callaway.
A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
In Lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to North Central Kansas Technical College Hays, Kansas / Nursing Program in care of the mortuary.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left at guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com