Ralph Green

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Ralph A. Green, 89, of Wappapello died Saturday, May 1, 2010, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

He was born April 9, 1921, in Holcomb, Mo., to Alfred and Ada Stacy Green. He and Margaret "Jackie" Hill were married Nov. 20, 1954, in Hernando, Miss. She died Nov. 28, 2006.

Mr. Green was a veteran of World War II, retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard after 23 years of service as chief engineer. He was a founding member of the Coast Guard Search & Rescue Team, where he was responsible for parachuting in for the rescue of several people.

He also worked for Boise-Cascade in St. Louis 20 years, retiring in 1980. He was a member of VFW Post 3416 in Wappapello and Wayne County Eagles Aerie 4187 in Piedmont, Mo.

Survivors include a son-in-law, Robert W. Gum Jr. of Cape Girardeau; three grandsons, Mark W. Gum of East Prairie, Mo., Scott R. Gum of Kansas City, Mo., Steven L. Gum of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Clayton Green of St. Louis; two sisters, Alfreda Myers of St. Louis, Mary Jane Duncan of Canfield, Ohio; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, John Green in 1989; and a daughter, Glenda Deloris Gum on March 19, 2009.

Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors by the Missouri Honor Guard.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.