James Simpson Green III

James Simpson Green III

James Simpson Green III – Jim, to friends and family – was born in Hilo, Hawaii on September 30th, 1929. He was raised in Pahoa, eldest of five, to Josephine and James S Green Jr, a plantation owner.

At age 15, Jim moved to Oahu to attend Roosevelt High School where he excelled in academics and sports until his graduation in 1947. With the dream of someday flying airplanes, he decided to continue his education at the University of Hawaii rather than move home to work in the sugar can fields. He achieved his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering on June 18th of 1952.

Eager to start his career as a pilot, Jim joined the Air Force and worked hard to excel in service and technical ability. He received many medals of recognition as a pilot and squadron leader, flying the early supersonic jets including the F86-Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, and F104 C’s. While stationed in England in 1955, Jim met a beautiful Swedish girl, Sylvia Rachel Carlsson, who he married July 24th, 1957, and had three children – Annette Leslie (born 1958), Britt Jacqueline (born 1960), and James Simpson IV (born 1964). While in the Air Force, Jim continued his education at Ohio State University, graduating in 1964 with his Masters of Science in Geodesy. He served proudly from 1953 until 1973, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

While in the Air Force, Jim and his family resided in California, Ohio, Florida, Wyoming, Hawaii, Virginia, and Nebraska – upon his retirement in ’73, the family moved to Bellevue, Washington. Beginning a second career as a cartographer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration he worked until his retirement in 1994, the same year he became a grandfather for the first time, to Danika Audrey Green.

In his official retirement, he achieved a Captain’s License, piloting sailboats throughout the northwest and sailing races to Hawaii using celestial navigation and natural means instead of modern instrumentation. He stayed busy working part time for H&R Block, enjoyed playing tennis several times per week, and swimming in his pool. He became a grandfather again in 2008 and 2013 to James Simpson V and Stella Rose, respectively.

Jim passed away Friday, April 7th, 2017 at the age of 87. James is preceded in death by middle daughter Britt, sister Audrey, brother Bill, and sister Joanne. He is survived by wife Sylvia, children James and Annette, daughter in law Katie, and grandchildren Danika, James, and Stella. Brother Robert and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held later this Spring.