Chester R. Green

1915 - 2017

Chester R. Green

Nashville, TN

Chester Rodolphus Green, 102, died October 9 at his home in Nashville, TN. Affectionately known as Chessie, Pap-Paw, Chet, Big Daddy, Granddaddy, Dad, Snooks, CR, and Uncle Chester, he lived an amazing life. Each of his nicknames represents who he was to so many people.

Born in Albany, GA, on July 9, 1915 to William Walter Green and Ruby Rebecca Culpepper, he will be fondly remembered for his fun-loving spirit and loyalty, and respected for his business acumen.

He graduated from Albany High School in 1933, after being basketball team captain and All-State Guard, and also played on the Albany Blues, a well-regarded semi-pro basketball team.

His father died when he was 18, which thwarted his plans to attend college on a basketball scholarship and left him in charge of supporting his mother and two younger sisters. He worked from the time he was a young boy, throwing papers and working at his father's store. He began his career at Kraft Foods as an entry-level salesman during the Depression. Chester once commented that he had no time to grieve properly or miss work when his father passed away. Money was scarce and he was now responsible for others—responsibilities that he upheld throughout his 102-year life.

In 1939 at age 23 he met the girl next door, Doris June Moore, who also happened to be his sister's best friend. It was love at first sight and they married in 1940, embarking on a 65-year honeymoon that lasted until Doris' passing in 2005. Three years after marriage, Chester enlisted in the Navy to serve in WWII. His ship, the USS Panda, joined the huge assault on the Philippines. In 1944, he was part of the largest naval engagement ever fought, the Battle of Leyte Gulf. After being discharged, Chester headed back to Georgia where his son Bill (born in 1943) awaited him. Four-and-a-half years later, daughter Susan was born.

He moved three times in five years for his job and eventually landed in Chicago, the national headquarters of Kraft Foods. During his 50-plus-year career with Kraft, he rose through the executive ranks, serving as Corporate Senior Vice President of Marketing, Advertising and Sales Worldwide.

An innovator of marketing strategies, Chester led Kraft to sponsor the Junior Miss Contest and launch the Kraft Music Hall on television. He worked with top performing artists, including Bing Crosby, Milton Berle, Perry Como, Andy Williams, Dinah Shore, Johnny Cash, and others. In 1968 he led Kraft to take the bold step of televising the Country Music Association Awards, the first time CMA awards appeared on television. This new publicity helped expand the audience for country music, resulting in a significant increase in recording sales.

When Chester retired in 1980, he and Doris moved from Kenilworth, IL, to Nashville where they continued to enjoy spending time in the country music community, as well as traveling, playing golf at Richland Country Club, and attending Woodmont Baptist Church where Doris taught Bible studies. After Doris passed in 2005, Chester remained in Nashville and celebrated his 100th birthday with a party that included the singing of "Happy Birthday" by recording artist Ray Stevens. Willard Scott also featured him on TODAY's Smucker's 100th Birthday segment.

Chester was respected as an industrious hard worker, self-made businessman, a loving husband, father, and friend. After Doris's death and as he grew old, Chester began to depend on God. Who better to support him as he learned how to make coffee, use a microwave, Skype, use a cell phone, and most importantly, face death in a dignified manner as he depended on others to help him? He made time for friends by meeting almost every day with his buddies at Krystal's. In writing, his trademark farewell was "0/0," or in person he always said "over and out."

Chester was preceded in death by his parents, brother W.W. Green Jr. (Leila), sister Ruby Helen Hambrick (Taplin), sister Grace Riley (Jim), son Bill (Sheila), and granddaughter Katie Findley.

Surviving family members include daughter Susan Baten (Greg) of Dallas, TX; granddaughters Terri Ewton of Kauai, HI, and Michelle Nicely (husband Daniel Nicely) of Santa Cruz, CA; grandson Ryan Findley of Dallas, TX; great-grandsons Kade Findley (Dallas) and Sam Nicely (Santa Cruz, CA); great-granddaughter Grace Nicely (Santa Cruz, CA); and many nieces and nephews.

A very special thank you to Terri, Tina, Patricia, Nina, Gennie, Kayla and Shelly who lovingly cared for Dad in his last years, making him comfortable and able to trust them for all of his needs.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on October 20 at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors, 1503 Dawson, Rd., Albany, GA.