Don Greene

Don Greene passed away on August 18, 2014 after a short bout with pancreatic cancer. Don was born January 3, 1948 - the son of J. Edwin and Lella Ben Allee Greene and 5th generation Texan.
Generations of Houstonians learned about the outdoors from Don while rafting, canoeing and kayaking down the canyons of Big Bend, Buffalo Bayou or those countless other wonderful trips. He was always opening our eyes to the wonders of nature - the beaver of Buffalo Bayou, the night herons of Braes Bayou, the footprints of the water birds and the raccoons on a sand bar. He explored and loved the green ribbons of life that cut across an often brown and dehydrated landscape called Texas.
Don founded Whitewater Experience in 1975. Over the next several decades, he and his team of expert river guides took thousands of whitewater enthusiasts down the rivers of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico including taking Gov. Ann Richards down the Rio Grande. Committed to the protection and conservation of rivers and streams, he was especially committed to the preservation of Buffalo Bayou in his hometown. Don was determined never to see the banks of Buffalo Bayou cemented in, the way he found his childhood playground, Brays Bayou.
Don learned the history and lore of Buffalo Bayou - where the old mills and road crossings were, where the Native Americans camped, where the shale outcrops and the old swimming holes were - and taught all who would listen about the wonder of this natural place running through the concrete jungle of Houston. He fought to keep its banks from being denuded and its channels natural. He was fierce and committed; he was gentle and loving.
Don grew up in southwest Houston, graduated from Bellaire High School and Stephen F. Austin University. He credited the Boy Scouts of America with instilling him with his love of nature, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and the God and Country Award. In addition to founding and operating Whitewater Experience for decades, Don was an educator. He loved to work up curriculums for guide training, for special interest groups and taught for many years at the Kinkaid School, among others. Paddlers now enjoy boating the Colorado River Trail because of Don's work in its design and creation.
Don was active in civic organizations dedicated to protecting Buffalo Bayou and Memorial Park including several years when he was President of the Bayou Preservation Association. More recently, Don was working with the Save Buffalo Bayou organization that is fighting to keep Buffalo Bayou natural.
Don is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Gary L. & Barbara B. Greene of Cedar Park, a nephew Scott Greene of Sugar Land, a niece Terri Greene Gallagher of Cedar Park and 5 grand nephews and one grand niece. A celebration of Don's life will be held in mid-September. For more information, contact 713-524-1012. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don's name should be made to Save Buffalo Bayou, 4709 Austin St., Houston, Tx 77004.