Clifford T. Green

EQCM Clifford Thomas, ‘C.T.’ Green, USN (Retired) , age 92, died peacefully (and rather sneakily) at his home in McHenry, MS, on Saturday, April 20, 2024. C.T. was born in Houston, Texas on August 17, 1931, to Samuel T. and Mardis Green. After the early passing of his mother, he was fortunate enough to become the stepson of Elva Messec Green, who gave C.T. his three beloved sisters. C.T. was preceded in death by his parents; wife and love of his life, Connie Sue Green; sister Patricia Ziemer; and sister, Mary Jo Green. He is survived by his son, Kenneth Green (Yvonne) of Stokesdale, NC, daughter, Kathy Parker, of Gautier, MS, his sister, Judy Sinitiere, of Lafayette, LA; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his beloved, overfed faithful companion, Lady, the fattest and most spoiled puggle there ever was.

In 1948, strongly encouraged by his high school principal (“for his own good”), C.T. lied about his age and joined the United States Navy at the age of 17. As a young enlisted man, he had a little ‘misunderstanding’ at the Naval Observatory. Once again, he was strongly encouraged by the Chief of Naval Operations to leave Washington, DC (“get out of my sight!”) and join the Seabees. At the time, C.T. had never even heard of a Seabee. He was promptly sent to the Seabee base in Port Hueneme, CA, where he quickly found his calling. He proudly served as a Navy Seabee for 20 years and his service was the source of many wild stories, travels and adventures. During his military service, C.T. received the following medals and ribbons: Navy Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Unit Commendation; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Navy Good Conduct Medal with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Star; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with USMC Device and Silver Star; Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation with Bronze Palm; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Silver Date Bar; Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal with Silver E and Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal with Silver E. While serving in the Seabees in Guam, C.T. was once again strongly encouraged to do something. A family friend convinced him to write to a girl back home in New Orleans that he had never met, Connie Sue Kemp. They became pen-pals, writing regularly to each other. They fell in love, eventually married and had Ken and Kathy. Being a military family, they drug their kids from Washington DC to California, Guam, Maryland, Trinidad (West Indies), Louisiana, Arizona and finally Mississippi, where C.T. retired in Long Beach. Their kids hold almost no grudges for having to change schools every two years. After retiring from the military, C.T. went to work for Gulf Cities Laboratories, and eventually retired again, this time as the Assistant Director for the Port of Gulfport. His second retirement gave him more time for the other love of his life, the New Orleans Saints. Though the Saints often seemed to ignore his wise counsel, he remained a loyal fan throughout the good years and the many, many bad years. C.T. leaves to his children his Saints hats, Saints shirts, Saints jacket, Saints coffee mug, Saints quilt and Saints blanket. (Yard sale soon!) C.T. was a lifetime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, the Military Order of Cooties, the CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation, and the Mississippi Coast Amateur Radio Association. His love for his family was almost as great as his love for a good ribeye steak or a platter of raw oysters. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten!

The family wishes to thank Home Instead and Deaconess Hospice of Biloxi for their excellent care. C.T. hit the Home Health Trifecta of Caregivers with Cindi Hartsuff, Patty Clark and Beth Herrin for always going above and beyond the call of duty, for their loving care, the wonderful home cooking our Dad enjoyed so much, and the apple fritters and donuts that he thought we didn’t know about! A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at McHenry First Baptist Church where he faithfully served and attended. Interment with full military honors will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery at a later date. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Green family in their time of need and asks everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers over this trying time.

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