Dr. John Green

Dr. John Richard Green passed away on March 14, 2013, at his home in Independence, MO. He was born in Independence on May 28, 1917 to Dr. John Reuben Green and Laura Kelley Green. They preceded him in death, as did his four sisters, Louise Grenawalt, Virginia Rasse, Katherine Wright and Mary Taaffe.
John was educated in Independence, graduating from William Chrisman High School. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in chemistry; he followed by attending KU Medical School, where he interned. While at KU, he joined Nu Sigma Nu, medical fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, social fraternity, and was proudly inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, honorary medical fraternity. Following his graduation from Medical School, he began his tour of duty in the US Navy, where he held the rank of Lieutenant. He was stationed in England in preparation for the Invasion of Normandy, DDay, the 6th of June, 1944. He participated in the invasion, and later was walking on Omaha Beach, where he spotted an empty trunk that had held medical supplies. He brought it home, refinished it, and the historic trunk has proudly served as the family coffee table for 49 years.
Following the war, he began his further medical education, serving his surgical residencies in the Navy, and Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. He did graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania, where he taught anatomy. Upon completing his surgical education, he returned to Independence, where he established his solo surgical practice. That practice grew, and today is proudly known as the Independence Surgical Clinic. John practiced for many years with Dr. Jing C. Liang, and Dr. Thomas J. Safley. Today the clinic is in the capable hands of Dr. Pascal Spehar and Dr. Jared Smith. John was President of the Medical Staffs of Independence Regional Health Center and the Medical Center of Independence. He was an Associate Professor of Surgery at UMKC Medical School, and served on the staffs of Children's Mercy Hospital, Truman Medical Center, and Trinity Lutheran and St. Joseph's Hospitals. He was a member of the Missouri Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons. He served on the Independence Chamber of Commerce Board, and was a member of the Sertoma Club, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, and the Jackson County Historical Society.
John was married to Kathleen Roberts in 1963. She survives him, as do his son, John Brian Green and wife Judy, of Bartlesville, OK, daughter Ann Green of Farmington, Mo, his three beloved grandchildren Laura Beth Green of Kansas City, Mo, John Patrick Green of Bartlesville, and Kristin Ann Green of Ft. Collins, CO, his brother in law, Michael Roberts of Lee's Summit, Mo, and many cherished nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved trio of wirehair dachshunds; Mokie, Frankie Furter, and his special little girl, Poppy, who stuck to his side all through his illness.
John and Kathy enjoyed many happy times together during their marriage, both at home and traveling throughout the world. John loved to fish, and, after retirement, built and flew radio controlled airplanes. Together, the couple fished in Colorado, Canada, Alaska, Belize, Hawaii, Australia, the Bahamas, and many states in the lower 48. But the most treasured trips were the family trips to the Frying Pan Valley of Colorado, where the next two generations are carrying on the trout fishing tradition in the mountains. Kathy always said that the reason he married her was that she was the only girl he was dating who wanted a new tackle box for Christmas. John also found quiet relaxation in gardening, digging in the dirt after a rough day at the hospital. He delighted in growing his own plants from seed, and insisted on using every plant. However, the year he almost wore out his wife and son by planting 94 tomato plants, they called a halt. He had to be content with 45 after that.
John and Kathy adored each other for almost 50 years. John loved his family, his country and his patients, and was always known as a kind, caring, ethical doctor, and a talented surgeon.
Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Speaks Suburban Chapel; 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO 64055. Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow at a later date. Contributions are suggested to the Salvation Army and St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, Montana, 59004.