Jerome "Jerry" Hobson Green

Jerome Hobson Green
October 19, 1951 – September 3, 2023

Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1951, Jerome H. Green made his entrance into the world in a place known for its tranquil snow-covered landscapes and as a vantage point for witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights. This intersection of serene natural beauty and the wonder of God's creation served as the perfect backdrop for a life characterized by quiet wisdom, sincere goodness, and a profound appreciation for the intricate nuances of the world, with a particular gift for understanding the human spirit.

His insight into the human heart was not only evident in his personal interests but also in his academic and career pursuits. However, his greatest testament to understanding the depths of love lay in his devotion to his wife, Connie, and his daughter, Lauren. As life unfolded, his love extended to encompass Lauren's husband, Josh, whom he deeply respected and admired, and his cherished granddaughters, Nora and Julia, whom he adored.

Known to most as “Jerry,” his name was synonymous with warmth, loyalty, understanding, and a remarkable capacity to find humor and joy in life's simplest moments.  Above all, Jerry personified unconditional love. To those who loved him, "Jerry" was more than a name; it was a treasured term of endearment. Few are as fortunate as those who have had a "Jerry" in their lives and have experienced being in the presence of a heart so pure and full of goodness.

Jerry entered Connie and Lauren's lives when Lauren was just four years old, a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of a beautiful journey. From that very instant, he began picking up the broken pieces that were left before him. His love paved the way for a new life together, forging an unbreakable bond, and they became a family. They moved forward with unwavering commitment to each other, and hearts filled with gratitude for the gift of being cherished, sharing laughter, and building a life together.

The essence of Jerry’s life might be best understood in reading 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7. In every instance of the word love, one could also read “Jerry.” Jerry was patient and kind; he did not envy or boast; he was never arrogant or rude; he was not irritable or resentful; he never insisted on his own way; he rejoiced in truth. Connie and Lauren knew they could always count on him to bear all things, to believe, to hope, and to endure. He was slow, if not impossible, to anger. Jerry's exceptional and rare capacity to live life in this manner, even in the face of adversity, is nothing short of extraordinary.

The son of Tina and Shelly Green, his early years were marked by the same thoughtful diligence that carried him throughout his lifetime. He was a member of his High School golf team, and his love for the sport continued his entire life. Jerry was an Eagle Scout, the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. He embodied the characteristics of being a Scout  until the end: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful, thrifty, brave, and reverent. Jerry's enduring love for nature, intelligence, and his insatiable curiosity about the people and places around him, remained a consistent and defining theme throughout his life.

Jerry had a brilliant mind and a quiet, quick wit. He was an academic with a sharp intellect, which led him to study history at the highest levels, with specific research in United States Foreign Policy and the Austrian State Treaty of 1955, ultimately pursuing a PH.D. in History at the University of South Carolina. Most would never know this of course, because Jerry never felt the need to say much. His career took on various forms, but the common thread always remained his unique ability to connect with people – whether it was his work with the University of South Carolina Archives, managing hotels, motivating employees, or being a team-player himself, Jerry had the ability to make others feel understood, at ease, and equipped to do their best. Long before it was fashionable to do so, Jerry had a gift for recognizing and amplifying the strengths of others, while minimizing any weak spots.

His ability to build up others was evident in what Jerry would say was his life’s most important work: that of husband and father. A devoted husband, Jerry never missed an opportunity to strengthen Connie’s heart, confidence, and spirit. Theirs was a genuine, unwavering love, rooted in mutual respect, which made them inseparable. They shared a life infused with laughter, profound conversations, and an unending commitment to love, cherish, and learn together throughout their lifelong journey. As a father, Jerry etched a strong sense of worth and value into Lauren’s soul. There is no doubt God sent Jerry to Connie and Lauren, not only to heal the brokenness that came before he entered their lives, but also to model unconditional love in its purest form.

Jerry’s life story, at its core, is a love story. And the way he lived it has something important to say to us all.

Practical to a fault, Jerry made his wishes clear and did not want a funeral or any other related formalities. His family has honored his request, but will have a private time to remember and reflect on all that he meant to them on November 7th at Pretty Place Chapel, a date Jerry, Connie, and Lauren cherished as their “family anniversary.”

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