Rev. Dr. Craig Alan Green, 60, of Livingston Tennessee went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020 after a valiant 4- year battle with cancer. Craig devoted his adult life to service of the Lord. He was a devoted pastor, husband, father and grandfather.
Craig was born and raised in Hays, Kansas. He was born Nov 17, 1959 in Hays, Kansas, to J.R. and Shirley (Seeber) Green. He attended Washington Elementary, Hays Junior High and Hays High School, where he graduated in 1977. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in political science and history in 1981.
Craig married Christina (Tina) Irby on Aug. 3, 1986 In Bogue, Kansas. They moved to Nashville, Tennessee and owned their own business. In 1994, Craig graduated from Vanderbilt School of Divinity, with a Master’s degree in 1992. In 2007, Craig earned a Ph.D. of Ministry from King’s Theological Seminary in Van Nuys, California.
Craig began his personal relationship with Jesus Christ in 1984 and was forever changed. His first appointment as pastor was to three small churches in Lascassas, Tennessee. In June of 2001, Craig was appointed Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Livingston, Tennessee. He was led to spread the Word throughout the Appalachian Mountains, where a number of new churches were planted.
Craig is survived by his wife, Tina; his four children: daughter Karen (Andrew) Hester of Raleigh, N.C, son Joseph (Ana) of Livingston; daughter Mary (Cody) Neal of Wilmore, Kentucky; son Matthew (Katlyn) of Greeneville, Tennessee; five grandchildren: Evelyn and Sloan Hester; Annuh and Judah Green; and Abigail Neal; his mother, Shirley Green of Hays, Kansas; four brothers: Richard (Pam) of California, Missouri; Larry (Patsy) of New Hope, Minnesota; Jerry (Susan) of Hays; Robert (Melissa) of Bethesda, Maryland; one sister, Krista (Len) Mize of Arvada, Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Richard Green and his father-in-law, Darrol Irby; and an infant son Andrew Stephen. He is also survived by a large and loving congregation of Livingston First Church, where he impacted countless lives.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the fund for refurbishing the new Livingston First Church facility. Livingston First Church, P.O. Box 156, Livingston, TN 38570. Your donations will further the kingdom of God and the heart of Craig Green.