Obituary of John C. Green

John Charles Green, 76 Iowa City, Iowa passed away peacefully Thursday December 15, 2022 after a brief illness at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Visitation will be Sunday December 18, 2022 at Gay and Ciha funeral home from 2-4pm Funeral services will be Monday December 19, 2022 at 10:30 am with a reception to follow at the Eagles Club in Iowa City after. Born January 3, 1946 to Herbert Green and Daisy (Bull) Green in Hull East Yorkshire, England moving to West Branch, Iowa in January of 1954 where he attended and graduated West Branch Highschool in 1963. John married Shirley Irene Sharp on September 26, 1965in Iowa City at the young age of 19 and they remained lovebirds until his final breath 57 years later. In June of 1975 after a long night out and a rough ride to Des Moines John and Shirley welcomed their daughter Amanda into their home (best purchase ever she always told him, or most expensive but let’s not split hairs) and in 1976 son Tim joined the family (mostly to torment Amanda). John was not just a father to these 2 but to countless numbers kids that were struggling, his door was always open and his “daddy cab” was always in business for anyone who needed a place to land or a safe ride home, no age limit on that. John worked for Moore Business Forms as a Production and Project manager from 1965-2000 when he first attempted retirement, we knew it wouldn’t be for long and he then worked for Technigraphics until the winter of 2008 when he retired for real, well from a paying job. John was a lifetime member of Old Capitol Kiwanis holding the Secretary role for over 30 years and numerous other roles including president for a time. He was also active in starting and working for the West Branch Kiwanis group as well. He was passionate about community service and volunteerism, working for many years with the Special Olympics and other community organizations helping to improve and help our communities. Service was in his heart as he was always an active member of his churches especially loving to mentor the youth groups. Drag racing was one of his first loves, he even had Shirley in the pit crew, but as the family grew he knew he had to make space in the garage for a more sensible vehicle and he had to let go of “Big John” his 1969 American Motors Rambler Scrambler much to Amanda’s dismay as she intended it to be her first car. He settled for attending races in Indianapolis and Daytona with the guys after he hung up that steering wheel. John’s greatest joy was his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, he was an avid Coach and mentor to them all, sitting on the Board of Directors for both Iowa City Girls Softball and Babe Ruth Baseball and despite his long work hours, traveling for work, declining health, or any other obstacle, he rarely if ever missed a game, event, concert for any of them. He always shared his love of technology, travel, and music with them insuring they were just as passionate about it as he was. John is survived by his Wife Shirley, Daughter Amanda Northam (Ki Schmidt), Son Tim Wallace (Susan), Sister Susan Barkalow Kasparek, Sister Jennifer Villhauer (Kalvin), Brother-in-law Don Sharp (Nancy), Sister-in-law Mary Saylor, Grandchildren Ainslie Green, Chelsea Northam, Zachary Northam, Kamdyn Hahn, Kimber Schmidt, Travis Wallace and Tyler Wallace, Nieces and Nephews, Cole Johnson, Lori Hansen, Lisa Hayslett , Derek Barkalow, Chad Barkalow, Mishelle Eckland, Brian Saylor, and Shawn Sharp, many great and great-great nieces and nephews, and those darn cats Gidget and Pippa. John was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Daisy Green, his Mother and Father-in-law Bud and Alice Sharp, Sister-in-law Carol Larsen (Nordeen), and Brother-in-law Larry Kasparek. As Winnie the Pooh said, and I think we all feel this about John “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his memory to support causes important to John and his family.