Earl Myers “Squirrley” Green died Sunday, January 5, 2020; he was 96 years old.
He was born January 12, 1923 at the old Roanoke Hotel in Manteo. He was the son of Jasper Earl Green and Ella Mae Jones Green, and was the third of three boys. One of his first visitors was Mrs. Clara Tarkington, who upon seeing him, remarked that he was “no bigger than a baby squirrel,” giving him the nickname by which he was fondly called by all who knew him, although he always introduced himself as Earl Green.
In 1937, at the age of 13 he began working at Fearing’s Drug Store as a “sweet water chemist” and later with Roanoke Utilities after school and during summers. He also worked for The Lost Colony during its inaugural season selling seat cushions to visitors coming to see the show.
He graduated from Manteo High School in 1941 and was a member of the school’s first football team in 1939 under Coach A.O. Ayers. After graduation he worked for Fearing’s full time until he enlisted in the US Coast Guard in March 1943, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and two brothers. He had tours of duty at Manhattan Beach in New York City, Nags Head, and journeyed through the Panama Canal to be stationed at Pearl Harbor. At Nags Head he helped maintain the government telephone lines that ran from Oregon Inlet to Caffey’s Inlet. At Pearl Harbor Squirrley served on the Ochlockonee 33, a tanker, transporting aviation fuel to air bases in Hawaii and surrounding islands in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard as a coxswain in March 1946. He rejoined Fearing’s after his Coast Guard discharge. In 1957 he joined Vepco, which had purchased Roanoke Utilities. He retired in August 1984 as customer service supervisor.
He married Stella Martin Creef on October 28, 1951 at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church. They had two daughters Lynn Martin Green and Janet Susan Green. He and Stella enjoyed traveling after his retirement, both in the US and overseas.
He was a member of Mount Olivet UMC and the Mens’ Bible Class. In 1950, he was a charter member of the Manteo Lions Club and had continuous service until he moved to Greensboro in 2009. He was also a Master Mason for over 60 years with the Manteo Masonic Lodge #521, and a member of the Sudan Temple. Squirrley was a devoted supporter of The Lost Colony. He was involved each season, until he moved to Greensboro, primarily through the Lions Club concession stand, in which he worked most Saturday nights. He always enjoyed helping with the fish fry meals for the cast members.
For his community involvement Squirrley received the Outstanding Citizen Award, along with his wife, Stella, at Dare Days on June 7, 1997. His last visit to his beloved Dare County was in January 2010 for his 87th birthday celebration with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Stella C. Green, his parents, Jasper and Ella Green, his two brothers Jasper D. Green and sister-in-law Josephine Green, and Edward T. Green and sister-in-law Ann Green, nephew Jasper J. “Jack” Green. He is survived by his daughters Lynn Green Gardner and husband William R. Gardner, III, Janet G. Rosie and husband Thomas A. Rosie, three grandchildren, Lauren R. Atkinson and husband Craig, Kristen R. Barnes and husband Daniel, and Katherine Gardner, as well as one great-grandchild Colton R. Williams, half-brother Hollis Green and wife, Marj, nieces Carol G. Richards, Patricia G. Cilimberg, and Jean R. Green, nephew Edward Earl Green and wife Gayle, as well as numerous great-nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, January 13, 2020, at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church with Rev. Matt Seals officiating. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family will receive friends and relatives Saturday, January 11, 2020 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo. Private entombment will take place at Roanoke Island Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, PP Box 787, Manteo, NC 27954, the Roanoke Island Historical Association 1409 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC, 27954, or The Manteo Lions Club, 1000 Westcott Park Road, Manteo, NC 27954.
Family members wish to add our special thanks to Brighton Gardens of Greensboro and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro for their special care of “Mr. Squirrley”, their love and support.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.