James Warren Green

January 29, 1940 - May 3, 2021

Obituary

James Warren Green, 81, who taught and inspired thousands of anthropology students over 30 years at the University of Washington, garnered a university Distinguished Teaching Award, and was affectionately known as “Dr. Death” for his popular course on death and dying, himself died on Monday, May 3. The cause was a stroke.

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Jim attended the University of Puget Sound, the Ohio State University, and the University of Washington. He married Carol Margaret Chapin of Spokane in 1962 and had two children, Allison and Matthew. His anthropology doctorate fieldwork took him to St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and he consulted at the National Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, on a Fulbright fellowship. His books, Cultural Awareness in the Human Services and Beyond the Good Death: The Anthropology of Modern Dying, have been used widely in college courses.

In 2006, Jim and Carol walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail across northern Spain to mark their retirement. Later, they twice returned to serve as hospitaleros at Albergue Santa Maria in Carrión de los Condes, hosting other Camino pilgrims. In Burgos, Spain, just off the Plaza Mayor, is Meson Los Herreros, his favorite tapas bar.

Jim was known for his enthusiasm for wines and wineries, especially for Washington and Oregon pinot noirs, becoming the go-to source of wine recommendations for friends and colleagues.

In addition to Carol, Allison, and Matthew, Jim is survived by his daughter-in-law Arline, Allison’s spouse, and their children and grandchildren; and by his brother Stephen and sister-in-law Judith and their children and grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral (https://saintmarks.org/, scroll down to “Make a Donation”) or the Senturia Family Endowment to support undergraduate anthropology students at the University of Washington (https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?source_typ=3&source=SENFAM).

A memorial service will be streamed online on Friday, May 14, at 2:00 p.m., PDT, https://saintmarks.org/worship/live-stream/.

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