Larry Bradford Green

Larry Bradford Green was born on May 21, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, to Norris and Janice Green. His parents raised him in a Christ-centered home and Larry accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. Larry was educated in the Detroit Public Schools, where he excelled as a student-athlete, playing baseball, basketball and track at Eastern High School and Northeastern High School.

In August of 1967, Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served his country faithfully and with distinction during the Vietnam War, serving in various technical support roles, with his last duty assignment being the Air Force Satellite Control Facility at Sunnyvale Air Force Station. He was granted an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Air Force achieving the rank of Sergeant, on August 24, 1971.

After leaving the military, Larry remained on the West Coast and started his career as an Information Technology & Human Resources Professional in Silicon Valley. In 1974, he met and recruited Yolanda Wilson for an IT leadership position at Fireman’s Fund Insurance.  Yolanda did not accept that position, but she kept him.

Larry may not have known it at the time, but when he recruited Yolanda, it would be a lifetime assignment. On April 2, 1977, Larry and Yolanda (“Red”) were united in Holy Matrimony.  In 1978, they moved north to Aloha, Oregon after Larry had accepted a position with Tektronix (and subsequently Intel Corporation) as a Technical Recruiter. He spent 13 years at Intel, in various Marketing and HR roles.  Over the course of his career at Intel, he personally recruited hundreds of deserving minority college students for internships and permanent opportunities. He was extremely passionate about fostering diversity at Intel and everywhere else he worked. He served as Intel’s ambassador and partner to the National Urban League where he worked closely with the League’s long-time president, John Mack.

Larry was a natural at developing deep, long-lasting, and loving relationships with people from all walks of life.  New friends instantly became his family. Gatherings at Larry & Red’s home were epic collections of diverse people who were all united by one spirit…LOVE. Young people who were new transplants to Portland from other places, quickly found their way over to Larry & Red’s house, where they could be loved and supported by their new family. 

Larry also loved the Pacific Northwest, and he took every opportunity to experience its beauty. He loved golfing, fishing, and boating.  He became famous for his legendary ribs, brisket, and smoked salmon which he often personally caught himself while fishing with his buddies, Skip Byrd and Rich Simeon. He often sent packages of smoked salmon to his Detroit family as Christmas gifts.

Most importantly, throughout his life, Larry was guided and directed by his strong faith in God. He was a long-time, faithful member of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dr. James Martin, served as his Pastor. Larry was very active in the church, but his favorite activity was singing praises to the Lord as a member of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Choir.

Larry Bradford Green departed this life on the morning of Monday, July 1, 2019 at Providence St. Vincent Hospital, in Portland, Oregon.  He leaves to cherish his memory: his Loving & Devoted Wife of 42 years, Yolanda Green; his six children: Andre Green (Tracy), Adrian Green (Veronica), Landon Green, Bryan Wilson, Stephen Green (Kersten), and DeAngela Green-Pouncey (Thaddis); his loving mother, Janice Green; two siblings, Barbara Martin and Derrick Green (Marion); a blessed blend of 17 grandchildren: Brandon, Justin, Gary, Travis, Simone, Adrian Jr., Erynn, Landon Jr., Mikylah, Raven, Karter, Miles, Landree, Omar, Marco, Dominic, and Romello; three nephews, Darron Jackson, Daryl Jackson, and Dewan Davis; two Aunts, Florence Weatherly and Mary Alexander (Henry); two Uncles, Gerald Green (Valerie) and Herman Green (Mattie), a host of cousins, and many Cherished Friends of more than 40 years.

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