JAMES FRANKLIN "JIMMY" GREEN

1956 - 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of JAMES FRANKLIN "JIMMY" GREEN, age 65, the founder and owner of J. Green Jewelers who passed away on September 18, 2021 at his San Antonio home from natural causes. His family rests in comfort and knowledge that Jimmy now resides with his Lord and Savior.

Born in Cherry Point, North Carolina outside the local Marine Corps Air Station in 1956, Jimmy's childhood revolved around the routines and sacrifices of a military family. As a "military brat", Jimmy's family eventually moved to "Military City USA" San Antonio. (OORAH!)

Jimmy was a giant in the jewelry industry. At an early age, after achieving State Honors in Distributive Education at MacArthur High School, he discovered salesmanship to be his strong suit and rose quickly among the ranks in local fashion retail stores. Jimmy was introduced to the fine jewelry industry in 1975 when he became a buyer and salon manager for Frost Brothers Precious Jewels of the Ben Adams Family who mentored and encouraged Jimmy to pursue a career in the jewelry industry. In 1985, Jimmy accepted an offer to become General Manager of Dennis Jewelry Company. Jimmy loved the close-knit relationships of the jewelry industry among store staff, vendors, customers, and even competitors. After two decades of service to the Dennis Family, Jimmy decided to fulfill his destiny by opening his own fine jewelry store by establishing J. Green Jewelers. After a year of construction on his unique and inviting store, Jimmy and his team (including his wife, son and daughter) opened the doors on November 30, 2005.

From its inception, J. Green Jewelers reflected Jimmy's dedication to design innovation, service excellence and quality delivery. The store set the global standard in jewelry service and selection, won outstanding awards both locally and nationally (including the WALL STREET JOURNAL's naming the store in 2008 as the Couture Jeweler of the Year and Best Jewelry Store in the United States), and enjoyed a sterling reputation throughout the industry. Cap Beasly, the world's foremost authority on colored stones referred to Jimmy Green as "one of the leading authorities on colored stones in the United States". The store reflected a lifelong commitment between its loyal customers and long tenured staff of sales and jewelry designers. Although the store bears his name, Jimmy never considered J. Green Jewelers as "his" store; it belongs to the staff and customers.

Jimmy believed in public service and giving back to the community. Throughout his life, Jimmy donated his time, talents, merchandise, and money to charities in San Antonio and the surrounding communities. There are over a hundred local and national charitable organizations that benefited from his compassion. The highlight of his community service was his work with The Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation where he served as El Rey Feo LXVI, raising $203,000 in scholarship funds. Serving as a goodwill ambassador for the city of San Antonio throughout the year of his reign (2013-2014), Jimmy and his court visited nursing homes, hospitals, orphanages, and more than 120 elementary schools where he encouraged thousands of young people to stay in school. Reflecting on his experience, Jimmy wrote "the citizens of San Antonio and South Texas brought together their spirit of community and their collective generosity and gave me an incredibly rewarding and blessed year during my reign as El Rey Feo."

Sunday was Jimmy's favorite day of the week. Jimmy was a devout Christian man who spent his Sundays attending selected church services in the morning, afternoon and into Sunday evening. Local pastors were among his closest friends. Jimmy felt grateful and blessed to have men and women of faith who prayed both with him and for him. Prayers were answered, and miracles happened. Jimmy enjoyed preaching the Good News to everyone, singing in praise, and praying with and uplifting anyone in need.

Next to his faith, family was at the center of Jimmy's life. He was the best dad ever (with apologies to any reader who thinks their own dad holds that title). He was smart, funny, loving, playful, and generous with his family. He was a dad who was always supporting and encouraging. Jimmy was the loudest cheerleader on the sidelines of his children's numerous activities. From Boy Scouts to Booster Club, Jimmy was present in every aspect of his children's lives. Jimmy's life was full of adventures. Jimmy leaves his family a legacy of love and kindness.

Jimmy Green is survived by: his loving wife Pamela Green, his son James Preston Green, his daughter Rebekah Annaliese Green Anderson, her spouse Burton Hill Anderson, his granddaughter Payton Michelle Green, his mother Anna Belle Giese Green, his sister Patti Russell, her husband John Russell, his brother Henry Moss Green III, his sister Debbie Schwind, father in law Jimmie H. Work, sister-in-law Karen Work, sister-in-law Sandra Anderson, her husband Kurt Anderson, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Henry Moss Green Jr.. Jimmy also leaves behind his J. Green Jewelry family of employees, their families, vendor partners, and innumerable friends.

In lieu of flowers the Green Family asks that contributions be made to The Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation.

A visitation will be held at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North on Wednesday November 17th between 6pm-9pm, and a memorial service will be held at Community Bible Church on November, 18th at 11am. For personal acknowledgement, you may sign the online guestbook at www.missionparks.com in the obituary section.