Alden James Green's Obituary
Alden James Green, age 80, of Gainesville passed away on July 20, 2025. He is survived by his wife Linda, brother Lemuel Green (Joan), sister Emily Levingston (David), stepbrother Edward Peet (Cindy), daughter Melanie (Michael), daughter Nora (Adrian), and son Isaac (Erin) as well as grandchildren Daniel, Lily, James, and Seth, and his extended family.
Alden was born in Ohio to Caspar and Sylvia Green. Because of his father’s career in the diplomatic service and USAID, Alden spent his early years in Venezuela, Brazil, Haiti, and Trinidad, as well as periods of time in Washington D.C., Tennessee, and Ohio, where he greatly enjoyed spending time with his cousins and extended family. He had a lifelong love of travel.
He graduated from Hiram College in 1966, including a semester at the University of Chile studying Spanish and Latin American literature. While at Hiram, he translated the play “And They Told Us We Were Immortal” by Argentinean playwright Osvaldo Dragun. Alden traveled to Argentina and personally received permission from Dragun to have the play performed, and thus it had its English-language premiere at Hiram in conjunction with a special series of lectures on Latin American theater.
Alden served in the US Army from 1966-1968, where he was primarily stationed in Germany. Afterwards, he went to the Ohio State University for graduate study in public policy, where he met his wife Linda.
Alden worked for Nationwide Insurance in the claims department. He was transferred to Florida in 1979 (a move that may have been especially appealing after being in Ohio for the blizzard of 1978) and the family moved to Gainesville. Alden was an early adopter of computer technology, and was able to use his programming skills to improve the handling of insurance claims, especially following major storms and hurricanes. Alden’s innovations were beneficial to the company but even more important for helping to better serve the customers in their time of need.
Alden was a devoted husband and wonderful father to his three children, who benefited from his love and wisdom. He was delighted to be a grandfather. He also loved dogs and had many rescue dogs over the years. In middle age, Alden developed a health condition that caused chronic pain, but despite these challenges, he always maintained his cheerfulness and positive attitude. He was a deeply kind and good person, and he is greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Downtown.
What’s your fondest memory of Alden?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alden?
Share a story where Alden's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alden you’ll never forget.
How did Alden make you smile?