DONALD G. GREEN

Wasilla resident Mr. Donald G. Green, 85, died at home Dec. 28, 2003. No services are planned.

Mr. Green was born June 27, 1918, in Highland Park, Mich.

He was the son of a worker at the Ford Motor Co. As a child, he used to stand on the running board of Henry Ford's car, talking to him.

He attended Ford Trade School and served a design engineer apprenticeship before going to work at Chrysler Motors.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Dora Marie Sloan-Green, in 1942. They had one daughter, Laurie Jo.

In 1956, he moved his family to California, where he was an entrepreneur, owning two successful full-service gas stations before retiring at age 45. Upon retirement he continued to work, pursuing the stock market and various real-estate ventures.

Mr. Green and his wife lived for a time in Carson City, Nev., before coming to live with their daughter in Wasilla in 1999.

Mr. Green preferred a quiet life, spending time alone reading or visiting with his wife.

His daughter wrote: "He was a kind man who always put his family first and he loved animals, enjoying the company of his three cats, Jack, Grace and Karen; his two dogs, Worf and Boojoo and a bunny, Jane Doe. He always had a joke up his sleeve and his dry wit brought laughter to all."

Mr. Green is survived by his wife, Dora M. Green, residing at Enila's Homecare in Wasilla; daughter, Laurie Green and adopted daughter S. LaMar Bennett of Wasilla; his nephew and niece-in-law Bill and Joan Green of Troy, Mich. and various grand-nieces an nephews.

Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Wasilla, Alaska 99654.

Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.