MITCHELL, Neb. – Funeral services for Afton “Babe” D. Green Jr., 87, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 at the Mitchell Berean Church. A reception will immediately follow the service at the Mitchell Events Center at the Scotts Bluff County Fair Grounds and burial will take place at 3 p.m. at the LaGrange Cemetery.
Babe went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 3, 2018 at Heritage Estates in Gering, Neb. During his one and only hospital experience, he remained kind and sweet to the very end. Memorials to the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family. The casket will be closed. Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com.
Babe was born Sept. 19, 1930, in his grandmother’s home in Loveland, Colo. He was the youngest of three born to Afton Sr. and Nellie (Cooper) Green. Growing up he spent the majority of his life on the family ranch seven miles east of LaGrange. He went to school and graduated from LaGrange High School.
After serving in the Air Force briefly, he returned to the family ranch where he raised registered quarter horses.
In May of 1953 he married Marvilyn Wiley and they had five daughters. Babe played basketball into his adulthood as well as rodeoing. He rode saddle broncs and calf roped for 13 years. He was an excellent horseman and cowboy. Without any formal training, but being quite gifted, he doctored horses, cattle, dogs and cats for many in the LaGrange area throughout the years. He judged rodeos and horse shows for 50 years, including three national shows. Babe was a basketball referee for all levels through college for 50 years as well.
Babe had a wonderful sense of humor and had quite the knack for telling stories and jokes. He was actively interested in politics (ardent Republican) until the very end, stating, “I can’t leave until I know what happens to Hillary”.
Babe is survived by his five daughters Ginny (Mark) Kaufman of Mitchell, Jill (Dan) Willis of Spring Branch, Texas, Julie (Dorian) Fox of Casper, Amy (Joe) Brock of Paducah, Ky., and Kit (Scott) Zuerlein of Clarksburg, Md.; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren with more on the way. He is also survived by six nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews; his brother-in-law Vern Lusche and his sister-in-law Mary Green.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Floyd Green; sister Darlene Lusche; nephew Jim Green; and his ex-wife Marvilyn Green.
