John Thomas Glenn

John Thomas Glenn, 84, of Richland Hills, TX, went to his heavenly home on December 3, 2022. Thomas was born April 26, 1938, in Tyler Texas. His family moved to Oak Cliff shortly thereafter. Thomas and his brother, Larry, were typical rough and tumble kids playing cowboys and indians, making forts, riding bikes, and running around hunting and fishing in the undeveloped fields of south Dallas. Thomas’ work ethic began early. As a young boy he had a paper route. In his early teens he bagged groceries in a nearby grocery and would often carry them home for the elderly customers. Thomas attended Sunset High School and graduated in 1956. He married his high school sweetheart, Karen Davis in December of that same year. The following December they celebrated the birth of a daughter, Leisa. The couple moved to Hurst, Texas in 1959 and became members of First Baptist Church Hurst. Here the family grew with the birth of another daughter, Jana in 1960, and a son, Todd in 1961. Thomas worked hard to provide for his young family – but was known to slip off occasionally, to the gravel pits in Hurst, to do a little fishing. Thomas and Karen purchased their first home, in Bedford, in 1963, and Thomas began working at the Hurst Post office in 1966. Two years later, in 1968, Thomas and Karen were blessed with a surprise named Jeff.

Always the hard worker, Thomas took on a second job at Roadway Freight where he worked the graveyard shift loading and unloading freight; but he also found time to take in sports – both as a spectator and participant. He was a coach on his son’s peewee baseball and football teams and played in many fast pitch and slow pitch softball leagues, including several First Baptist Hurst teams that he played on into his 50’s. He also loved to play pickup basketball at the Family Life Center at the church. Tom was a die-hard Mavericks fan and enjoyed watching the Cowboys and college games. But the sports he loved watching most were those in which his children and grandchildren participated. He was especially devoted to his grandchildren and was a constant presence in each of their lives, attending concerts, recitals, sporting events, and even practices. He was always there. In his spare time Thomas liked to work in his yard.

After 42 years of carrying the mail Thomas retired from the post office in 2008. He and Karen loved to camp, not only with extended family, but also the friends in their camping circle. Thomas always looked forward to trips to Tyler for visits, and the Annual Glenn family Reunion, where he could see his siblings and the extended Glenn family. Thomas was a lifelong avid fisherman and regularly fished with his sons and grandsons. His last fishing trip was just nine days before his death.

Thomas was a devoted Christian with a servant’s heart and served as a deacon from 1983 until his death. He was a friend that could be counted on. He was a good son and brother, a loving husband, a wonderful father, and doting grandfather. Thomas was preceded in death by his father David D. Glenn, his mother Geneva McCain Brammer, and sister Linda Glenn Boyles. He is survived by his loving wife Karen, his daughters Leisa Glenn Bates (Gene) of Bedford and Jana Glenn of Hurst, sons Todd Glenn (Kathleen) of Mansfield, and Jeff Glenn of Richland Hills. Grandchildren: Melissa Bates Denton (Brian), Laura Bates Kempf (Nathan), Sarah Glenn, Emily Glenn Wallace (Jonathan), Riley Glenn, Liam Glenn, and Jack Glenn. Great grandchildren: Josh Denton, Leila Denton, Sagan Berlanga, Fletcher Wallace, and Maisie Wallace. Thomas is also survived by his siblings Larry Glenn of Tucson, AZ, and Gary Glenn, Jill Glenn Steigman, and Martha Glenn Stewart, all of Tyler, Texas