Half a life ago, I met James R. Greene III, and yes, he referred to himself that way. He had purchased a recently renovated home on Ringgold Street for his grandfather, that my friend Howard Rambo had turned into a showplace.
James was one of the most self confident people I’d run into in the civilian world- and even then, talked about changing the world. Nothing was beyond his reach.
In the years since, we’ve crossed paths many times, and I’ve tracked his career, from a staff attorney at NCR to running his own shop, going after the civil rights cases and wrongful death cases that make you go hmmmm.
Officer Kevin Brame, check, Kylen English, check- he threatened to run for Mayor [1] many times, and one time came up very short on signatures.
The Dayton Daily had no problems coming up with mud to smear him as soon as he announced, but, in his passing- this was all the ink they found worthy of mention- a short, paid obit:
GREEN, III Esq., James R. Age 55 of Dayton passed away May 28, 2014. Service June 3, 11 AM at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church.
via James R. GREEN Obituary: View James GREEN’s Obituary by Dayton Daily News [2].
For someone who has been on the community’s forefront for years, he deserves a better recounting of his life than I can give-
if you have something to share about James- please do so in comments.
Dayton has lost one of our leading voices. James will be missed.
I met Mr. Greene when he was thinking of running for Mayor. He was a very nice man.
I met James through his wife, Jackie. He was a loving husband, patient and kind and a beautiful father. Peace and love to his wife and daughters as they move through this process.
Thank you Jeff and Karen-
Today, the DDn had an obit- and the funeral announcement contained a bit more info.
Also- some friends on FB filled in some details.
James was born in Paris France, but grew up here. He graduated from Stebbins High School- class of 1977
He was very proud of his Olympian brother- Joe, who won the bronze twice in the long jump.
His survivors include his wife of 23 years Jacquline “Jackie” Greene, daughters Imani Nicole, Rachel Denise and adopted daughter Shawna Worley.
He was recently involved in the Summit Square apartment shooting in 2012- where he represented the family of Dante Price, the 25-year-old man whose car was fired upon 17 times by two Ranger Security guards.
The full DDn article is here- http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/civil-rights-attorney-james-r-greene-iii-55-dies/ngBWP/#7b8d3d05.2754953.735385
Of course, it’s behind the paywall.
Remember, you, as well as the DDn “reporters”, read it here first on esrati.com
[…] when the second former candidate for the Dayton City Commission dies within a week, way before their time, without a real mention in the DDn- I figure I owe it to them to share the news of their passing […]
I did not know Mr. Greene but I do know he must have been amazing or Jackie wouldn’t have tolerated it. And I know first hand that his daughters are amazing and beautiful young women on the inside as well as on the outside, he was certainly a large part of that. I know the world will miss him as we need more people who are willing to stand up for what is right!