Albert "Al" Green

Albert H. (“Al”), 96, passed away peacefully at home in Levelland, Texas on January 5, 2024.  His life began on February 23. 1927 on a cotton farm in Floyd County, Texas.  Here also began his love for the Texas South Plains, which he later described as “the closest thing to heaven on earth.”  

Al was the youngest of six children born to Clara and Charles Green.  As a boy, he began his formal education in a small, rural, one-room schoolhouse.  The Great Depression had just begun, as had the dust bowl days on the Texas Plains.  By the time Al was 8 years old, his family, like so many other farming families, had lost its battle against the elements.  In the summer of 1935, the Greens packed up and moved southward to the central Texas town of Stephenville. Al’s father, who wanted to offer his children the opportunity for higher education, chose this particular town as it was home to the John Tarleton Agricultural College.

Still a child, Al familiarized himself with the Tarleton campus by exploring the grounds on his stick horse.  He and his friends would often visit the woodworking shop and were given scraps of wood by the instructor. With his scraps, Al taught himself the meticulous art of wood-carving, which became on of many creative talents to emerge during his lifetime. 

Throughout his childhood, Al had a thirst for knowledge (which never ended) and excelled in school.  Because of his academic performance he was double promoted not once, but twice before graduating from high school.  At the age of 16, he entered Tarleton College, although he was eagerly awaiting the time when he could join the military and serve his country during WWII.  While attending Tarleton, he was active in ROTC and intramural sports and made the dean’s list each semester.

In June of 1945, Al was proud to enlist in the Army Air Corps.  He served initially as a airplane and engine mechanic on the island of Guam and in other areas of the Pacific.  He soon became a master mechanic and advanced to the position of assistant crew chief for the B29. 

After the war ended, Al entered Texas A&M University. He was a dedicated student of mechanical engineering, graduating with honors in the spring of 1950.  He always held a deep love and pride for his alma mater and truly lived his life by the Aggie Code of Honor.

Following his graduation, Al hitch-hiked all over the state of Texas looking for employment.  He was soon hired by a company known then as Standard Oil of Indiana (later renamed to Amoco Production Co.).  He began his career in 1950 n the town of Andrews.

In June, 1951, Al married Miss Dorothy Stigler, also of Stephenville.  The next year, their first child, Paula, was born.  Fourteen months later they welcomed a second daughter, Patti.  By that time, Al had been transferred to Oklahoma, Arkansas, and back to Texas.  In 1960, he and his family moved to Levelland, where he worked until his retirement in 1986.

Al dedicated a total of 36 years to his company and was passionate about his work.  Twelve-hour days were commonplace for him.  After performing in several capacities, Al was promoted in 1970 to the position of District Superintendent, which placed him in charge of the oil and gas production for Amoco in 67 counties spanning across Texas.  Al was greatly revered by his colleagues and employees and was known for his fairness, patience, and leadership ability.  The outpouring of admiration expressed at this retirement celebration was overwhelming.  Not only was he praised professionally, but also personally for shaping the lives of so many men and women.

As involved as he was with his career, Al was also a strong supporter of his community.  He served as a Director of the Levelland Area Chamber of Commerce, as member of the Executive Council of the South Plains College Foundation, and a member of the Public School Tax Equalization Board.  He was active in the area chapter of the American Petroleum Institute and co-chaired the Hockley County United Way Campaign for several years.   He was avid supporter of the Hockley Co. Senior Citizens Center and a volunteer for their meals-on-wheels program.   He also served as a deacon, an elder, and president of the board of First Christian Church.

At home, Al was an exceptionally involved and devoted parent.  He treasured his role as a dad and never missed a performance, recital, award ceremony, birthday celebration, or family vacation.  He later had one grandson, Jacob, who became his pride and joy.   From the first day of Jacob’s life onward, Al was just as involved as he had been with his daughters, despite the fact that his grandson lived 400 miles away. Al accompanied Jacob to his first day of class each year of elementary school.  He helped with science projects and math homework.  He taught Jacob how to whittle, shoot a rifle, and ride a bicycle.   Most importantly, he taught his grandson, through words and example, how to carry himself as a man.

As a person, Al was multi-talented, although exceedingly modest.  He spent weeks building a complex sound system completely from scratch.  He was responsible for the designs, the architectural plans, and the construction of two beautiful homes, as well as the sanctuary of his church, including a stained-glass window which still exists as a focal point today.   Al read voraciously and his library was filled with books of many varied genres.  He could draw and paint.  He enjoyed art, music, photography, and traveling to places which offered arrays of landscapes and wildlife, such as Big Bend, Colorado, and Canada.  He had a fascination with the Old West and was happiest when he was outdoors in the midst of nature.  Although he could appear stoic, Al had a huge, kind heart.   He loved animals and once stayed up all night holding and tending to a wounded rabbit.

Al Green’s passing will leave a void that can never be filled.  However, he would be pleased to know that he left his mark and truly made our world a better place.

P.S.

Daddy,

We know that you would not have wanted us to ever sing your praises so publicly, or even at all.  However, this was finally our chance to tell your life’s story, and we did it with so much pride and gratitude.  We thank you for being our ever present strength, our voice of wisdom and our calm in any storm.  

We will carry you in our hearts forever.  We love you beyond words.

Paula, Patti, Jacob and Mary Katherine

A graveside service will be held in Stephenville, Texas at a later date.