Tributes

Msgt Thomas "Tommy" Preston Green, USAF retired was born on January 5th 1923 in Springhope, North Carolina. He enlisted in the military in 1942. First in the Army, and then later, in 1947, when the Air Force was created. He was active during World War II, the Berlin Air Lift, and Korea. He was stationed at many different bases around the world during his career. While he was stationed at Lackland AFB around 1952 he became lifelong friends with Louis L Nicholson, Jr. who introduced him to his sister, Phylis Nicholson. On April 5th, 1953 in a small ceremony at the First Christian Church in El Dorado Kansas (where Phylis was from) they married and immediately left for Springhope NC to meet his relatives. They didn't waste any time in starting a family and on March 21st 1954, Melody Ann was born in San Antonio, Texas. In May of that same year, he left for Korea. He always said that was the coldest place on earth. Several years later, on April 9th 1958, while stationed in Elgin AFB in Florida, their second daughter, Melinda Sue, was born. He served in many interesting and diverse places during his military service. Selma, Alabama, during a time when segregation was evident, Lajes AFB in the Azores, an island off the coast of Portugal, during the Cuban Missle Crisis, where at that time, Khrushchev threatened to fire nuclear missles and destroy that base. Later he was assigned to Andrews AFB while John F Kennedy was President. On November 22nd 1963, when JFK was assassinated and flown back to Andrews AFB, he was there to salute the plane. After retiring from active service in June 1964, his family settled in San Antonio, Texas. He owned an Enco station, Tommy's Enco, and even sponsored a little league team at the Five Diamonds for several years. He also worked for the US Postal Service for a few years before going into Civil Service and working at Kelly AFB Security Service. In total, he served our country for 33 years. He never really retired and always had his hands in something. He was a man of great faith and made sure everyone knew he loved the Lord. Family is requesting in Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital, Everlasting Light Baptist Church 263 E. Harding, San Antonio, Texas 78221 or First Baptist Church of Floresville, 1115 B Street, Floresville, Texas 78114.

Tributes

Thomas Preston Green

January 5, 1923 - December 11, 2023