John Glenn

John Wiley Glenn, the son of the late Charles Thomas and Minnie Elizabeth Hodge Glenn, was born in Puxico, Missouri on December 2, 1927, and passed away at the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula due to complications of cancer on November 6, 2008, at the age of 80 years, 11 months and 4 days. He suffered a major stroke on October 30, 2008, during a surgical procedure and lapsed into a coma. His family was at his bedside when he passed away. A native of Puxico, Missouri, John graduated from Puxico High School then attended Southeast Missouri State University where he received his BS Degree in Business and Marketing in 1952. For the next 14 years he worked for Transit Casualty Insurance Company until opening his own insurance adjusting firm in 1966, and specialized in mass transit claims. John was elected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit District's Board of Directors for five terms, serving as President of the board in 1981 and 1988. He also served as chairman of all special committees and led the charge to build the first extension. John also served as director for the American Public Transportation Association; the leading force in advancing public transportation. John was a founder and board director for Civic Bank of Commerce which later sold to City National Bank of Beverly Hills. John was a Mason and member of various other organizations including Toastmasters. He retired from John Glenn Adjusters and Administrators, Inc. in 1994, turning the business over to his children. John felt a special relationship with SEMO and in addition to his generous donations, established several scholarships. He was presented with the Alumni Merit Award and has two buildings on campus names after him. His first grandchild is following his footsteps and is now attending SEMO. John will always be remembered for his determination, honesty, generosity and love for his family. He was a natural leader. John enjoyed working in his yard and collecting and making clocks. He also loved to travel experiencing snake hunting in the Amazon Forest, getting caught in a wild elephant herd in Kenya and was the 72nd person to travel through the English Channel Tunnel. His greatest love was spending time with his family and returning yearly to visit his hometown. John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty Jo, his children, John Gary Glenn (Grace), Sharon Hayward (Matt), Karen Glenn-Mills (Ken); grandchildren, Sarah, Kenny, Keegan, Rachel, David, Julia, Keanna and Kaley Rae. He was one of 10 children, three of whom he is survived by, brother, Tom Glenn, sisters, Norma Hix and Janet May (Loy). Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday November 14, 2008, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2008, at 11:00 AM at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Puxico, Missouri with Pastor Dennis Doublin of Puxico officiating. Entombment will follow in the Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico, Missouri in charge of arrangements.