John Clay Glover Sr. passed away on March 22, 2022 at the age of 72, in Saint Petersburg, Florida. His aggressive battle with cancer over the past year showed his courage in facing life’s challenges with a smile and quick joke. When told of the severity of the disease, he looked at the love of his life, Karen, saying he was glad that he passed on the extended car warranty. In laughter, John was able to cope with anything in the world. Despite the pain, John continued to be our hero and stayed strong until the end.
John joined the Navy at the age of 17 during Vietnam and quickly rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-4). During this time, John also worked to earn his Master’s Degree from the New Hampshire University. John’s military career took him all over the world with numerous aircraft carrier tours aboard the John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and Nimitz with long-term stations in Virginia, Maine, Key West and Kauai, where he and his family discovered their love for the islands. For over 30 years, he enjoyed his time in the Navy as a ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is built for.
Following his illustrious military career, John was instrumental in the development and testing of the Navy’s Theater Ballistic Missile Defense at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai for another 20+ years.
John enjoyed running with his milestone being a 26.2 mile Honolulu Marathon, Sailing, Scuba Diving and spending time on the beach with Karen and a cold beer in his hand. Being the jokester he was, he often would say, “See, I told you I was sick”.
John was the loving husband of Karen Glover for nearly 50 years. A true hero to his son Clay (Da Bird and pain in the ass), daughter Tara (Schnooks and his favorite) and their spouses Ulla and Joe. John is also survived by his loving grandchildren Dylan, Cole, Trent, Jonathan, Emma, Lindsey and his great granddaughter, Payton, who all refer to him as their Kapuna. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, family and friends. John touched the life of everyone he met and would be the first to give you the shirt of his back.
The family welcomes you to the Beach Memorial Chapel on St. Pete Beach from 4-7 for viewing and Funeral with Catholic Mass and Full Military Honors on Monday 10am at St. John Vianney Church located at 445 82nd Ave. also on St Pete Beach. Celebration of life to follow where we can raise our glass to a great man.
Fair winds and following seas my love and Aloha… Karen
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beachmemorial.com for the Glover family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18