Joseph Martin “Marty” Green, 71, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at The Family Care Place in Orange, Texas. A native of Houston, he was born the 4th of nine children to Mary Lou Hebert Green and Thomas F. Green on June 22, 1942.
Marty Green was as accomplished as any man should ever hope to be, but he would undoubtedly deny such praises to his final day. He was a true renaissance man. A gentleman, a scholar, an aficionado of good food and drink, a lover of Texas history, a lifelong pilgrim to Bolivar Peninsula, an inquisitive and adept theologian, a hunter, a respected lawyer, a devoted father, a loving husband, son, brother, and uncle, a published author, a cook of both renowned abilities and horrible messes, a beautiful tenor with a love for singing alongside his friends and family, a cowboy with a uncanny ability to eat cornbread and enchiladas, a football player who looked the part of center all the days of his life, a theology teacher, a one year president of Monsignor Kelly High School’s Home and School Association, a Knight of the Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, a 13 year board member for the Symphony of Southeast Texas, a fisherman with a knack for having his boat break down anywhere and everywhere or the trailer fall apart, or flat tires at the exact inopportune moment, etc. But most of all, he was a gentle builder of community, something which all of his friends and family can affirm.
Education was very important to Marty. He attended Moye Military Academy in Castroville, Texas alongside his older brother and partner in crime, Tommy. He later attended St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas and graduated as valedictorian in 1959. Pursuing a B.A. in English, Marty went on to graduate from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. In 1966, he graduated with a law degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Finally, he received a Masters of Arts in English from the University of Virginia in 1967. And while he loved learning, Marty’s loved his “bride” far more. He first met Peggy Woodin in 1963 at Notre Dame. She was then a senior at St. Mary's College. She thought him fun as he played Kingston Trio and every Irish song he knew or could make up. He pursued her until she married him in 1965 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Cambridge. Their first child came in 1966.Marty began practicing law in 1967. Eventually, his hatred of snow and love for Texas prompted Peggy and Marty to move back to the Gulf Coast. They arrived in Beaumont in 1968.
Together, they raised four beautiful children, Sherry, Joe, Danny, and Mary Jennifer. His family was his treasure. He wanted to share with them everything he loved, from great books to music, gumbo, humor, and Notre Dame Football. An avid hunter and fisherman, Marty shared his passion for the outdoors with his family and friends, spending many great summers at the family beach house on the Bolivar Peninsula. Those memories of catching speckled trout and playing songs around the campfire will continue to warm the hearts of those who love him.
Marty had a great love for his faith and he lived it with every fiber of his being. He served his church in numerous ways, including adult ministry for the Happening Retreat team at the local Neumann Center, RCIA, and then later on as a member of the first ACTS retreat team for St. Anne’s.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy; sons, Joe Green and his wife Freedom; and Dan Green and his wife, Anna; daughters, Sherry Antonetti and her husband, Marc; and Jennifer Sanders and her husband, Andy; sisters, Mary Lou Hall and her husband, Mike; Marjo Sauer and her husband, Ralph; Helen Young and her husband, Ed; and Francis Hall and her husband, Greg; brothers, Patrick Green and his wife, Tracy; Mike Green and his wife, Terri; Steve Green and his wife, Jackie; and by 17 grandchildren
Marty was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lou Hebert Green and Thomas F. Green, Jr.; his brother, Thomas F. Green III; his niece, Kate Walsh; his granddaughter, Kylee Freedom Green; and by his sister in law, Tag Green.
The family would like to give special thanks to Kay Bray and Pearl Helm of the Family Care Home in Orange, Southeast Texas Hospice, Dr. Mike Amsden, Brenda Honeycutt, RN, and all of the nurses, especially Tessa and Chenette.
In closing, one of Marty Green’s favorite authors wrote, “Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.” But according to his son, Danny Green of Houston, “Dad would probably argue that Mom was the hero of his life.” He died while holding her hand.
A Christian Vigil will be at 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 8, 2014, at St. Anne Catholic Church, with a family committal the following day at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston under the direction of Broussard’s.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marty’s memory may be made to Southeast Texas Hospice, P.O. Box 2385, Orange, Texas 77631; Birthright, Inc., 2626 Calder Suite 201, Beaumont, Texas 77702; or Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, 2680 Eastex Fwy, Beaumont, Texas 77703.
