Jay ‘Don’ Greene II
courtesy photo
Jay ‘Don’ Greene II
MISSOULA — Jay Donald “Don” Greene II was called away due to natural causes on Feb. 17, 2024. Born on May 4, 1959, to Jay and Nadine Greene, Don’s early childhood was spent in his birthplace of Laramie, Wyoming, in the company of sisters, Renda and Karen. After leaving Wyoming, Don’s family lived in Colorado and California during a brief “nomadic period” before finally arriving in his beloved Missoula.
Landing in Missoula began the best part of his life. During this time, Don attended Sentinel High School (Class of ‘77) and began to accumulate the core group of friends that he would faithfully orbit throughout his life, among them Jim Biondich, Rico Salvino, Bunky (no last name required), Larry Mienzen, Tom and Berta, Scott Williamson, Tom and Sue Hightower, Sluggo, and his “brother from another mother” Keoki LopezdeVictoria, to whom he remained connected for the rest of his days.
Don held a handful of jobs as a young man, including a stint as a plumbing apprentice (cut short by an unfortunate pipe-to-the-forehead event), and as a bellman at the Red Lion Inn (thanks for the tip, Huey Lewis). His sister, Renda, remembers Don as a talented cook. He found long-term employment at A & I Distributors, where he remained for many years until an injury forced his early retirement.
Never seeking the spotlight but nevertheless the life of any party, Don was very much a people person. Honorary Uncle to many, Don always participated in life’s big celebrations and was a fixture at every important event - if there was a graduation party, a funeral, or a birthday, you could count on Don to be there. A connoisseur of Playboy Magazine and PBR, he enjoyed the finer things in life. Don was everyone’s Best Man at every wedding in the Missoula area from 1979 forward (citation pending).
Don was preceded in death by his mother, Nadine (Purvis), and father, Jay Donald Greene; and is survived by sisters, Renda Greene and Karen Wolk (Jay); uncle, Ren Greene (Carol) of Hood River, Oregon; aunt, Florence Purvis of Corvallis, Oregon, Keoki LopezdeVictoria (Sandy) of Ronan, and Goddaughter, Regan LopezdeVictoria; and their families.
A brief memorial ceremony will be held on Don’s birthday at 2 p.m. on May 4, 2024, at Thibodeau Falls, the site of many legendary Taurus Parties. A celebration of life will follow at the home of Nick Mostad, 9035 Miller Creek Road - camping is available at this site for out-of-town visitors. For information on exact Thibodeau Falls location or weekend camping arrangements, text Keoki at 406-270-9534.
