John Glenn

PUXICO, Mo. -- John Wiley Glenn, 80, of Pebble Beach, Calif., passed away Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, at Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula, Calif., due to complications of cancer.

He suffered a major stroke Oct. 30, 2008, during a surgical procedure and lapsed into a coma. His family was at his bedside when he passed away.

John was born Dec. 2, 1927, in Puxico, son of Charles Thomas and Minnie Elizabeth Hodge Glenn.

He graduated from Puxico High School, then attended Southeast Missouri State University where he received a bachelor of science degree in business and marketing in 1952.

For the next 14 years he worked for Transit Casualty Insurance Co. 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 Southeast Missouri State University, and in addition to his generous donations, established several scholarships. He was presented with the Alumni Merit Award and has two buildings on campus named after him. His first grandchild is following his footsteps and is now attending the university.

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; three children, John Gary Glenn (Grace), Sharon Hayward (Matt), Karen Glenn-Mills (Ken); eight grandchildren, Sarah, Kenny, Keegan, Rachel, David, Julia, Keanna and Kaley Rae.

He was one of 10 children, three of whom he is survived by, a brother, Tom Glenn, and two sisters, Norma Hix and Janet May (Loy).

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Dennis Doublin of Puxico officiating. Entombment will follow in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau. Entombment in Puxico Cemetery will be at a later date.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Building Fund, P.O. Box 68, Puxico, Mo., 63960, or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com.