McCrea starred in numerous American Westerns, making him one of Green’s idols as a child.

Green has transformed that passion years later into a book, “The Reluctant Warrior: The Journey Begins.”

“It’s been one of those things that’s been in the back of my mind to write a book,” Green said. “It probably started because I always wanted to be a cowboy.”

Green said John Wayne had a big influence on him with the movies “Big River” and “The Searchers.”

Green started on his book about three years ago. Friend Mark Hansen, who helped author “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” encouraged Green to write and incorporate the Biblical character Gideon because he reminded Hansen of Green and his journey in life.

The western fiction story centers around Joel Richards leaving his family’s West Virginia farm in 1863 to join the Union army. Richards becomes a decorated member of the Cavalry, but he returns home after the Civil War to find the family farmstead in disrepair and his father alone and dying.

After his father’s death, Richards sells the family farm and heads for Texas to fulfill a promise to his dying father. Richards joins a cattle drive going from Texas to Dodge City. He deals with many challenges on his way to the Wyoming Territory, including a run-in with a wartime foe.

Green said two more books are planned in the series.

“The Civil War has always been of interest to me and taking it through the cattle drives to Dodge City,” Green said.

The 1957 Linwood High School graduate — he recalls playing basketball against Jarbalo’s Bill New — has a background in education and has written a few smaller books about the state of student loans, as well as Will Rogers.

“This is my first significant book,” Green said. “I’ve been cutting my teeth along the way.”

Green, who worked at the college level, said he’s seen the hardships student loans can cause on families later in life. He said loan reform is needed, as is better finance education in schools and at home with families.

“That’s my social crusade,” Green said. “See if we can’t make some change with that.”

After graduating from Linwood High, Green entered the military, serving in the Navy. He then went to Emporia State University and earning a bachelor’s in business management and a master’s in education and counseling. He worked five years in student union administration while getting his master’s, which he earned in 1971.

Green later went into construction real estate in the Emporia area before heading to the Kansas City area, working for a construction company for three years before it closed down.

His wife, Becky, who had a career in education, died in 1989. A son also is in the education field.

Green eventually went into the building maintenance business and has operated a limousine service for more than a decade. He’s down to one vehicle in the fleet and utilizes it as a part-time job these days, Green said.

Through is adventures, Green also has done several vocal performances, including appearances at The Jewel on Main. The wearer of many hats, Green has gotten into promoting events. He assembled a Christmas program at The Jewel that drew more than 200 people.

As part of the event, Green made it a fundraiser for Tonganoxie Elementary School’s food program that sends home food to students of families in need. The drive raised about $500.

The local jack of all trades has appeared in television commercials in the Kansas City area “when they want an old-timer” and has been an extra in three movies, including “The Long Road Home.”

“My name’s in the credits for that one,” Green said.

In the summer, Green wants to put on an event July 25 for National Day of the Cowboy. Though he doesn’t have a venue yet, he hopes to have an all-day event with music and other activities to honor cowboys.

As for the book, Green is open to book signings at libraries and bookstores.

To contact Green for book events or other promotion, call the Overland Park resident at 913-219-3942 or email him at charleygreen@charleygreen.com.

The book is available for purchase through his website, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com and iUniverse.