Glenn Allen Blazier passed away Monday, May 21, at the age of 66. Although that may seem young, he was the impossible man. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, doctors expected Glenn to be a footnote in the lives of his parents, Dora Snyder and Harry Blazier. Fortunately, his mother had an indomitable will for him to live - a fortitude that she passed on to him. Doctors then projected he would not survive to the age of 6. Yet he persevered. Doctors then projected he would not survive to graduate high school. Yet he persevered.
In July 1973, he met his soulmate - Cheryl V. Eldridge. Glenn, a taxi driver at the time, gave her a lift to her mother’s house. It was a instant, whirlwind romance, and they married four months later on October 8, 1973. Glenn quickly adopted Cheryl’s five month old son, Jay A. Blazier, and a beautiful family was begun. Four years later, a baby girl, Angela M. Blazier, was born to Glenn and Cheryl. Doctors worried that their daughter would suffer from the same disease. She did not.
Glenn and Cheryl built a beautiful life together, and traveled throughout the United States, visiting 49 states, during their 44 years of marriage.
Glenn never accepted arbitrary limits. He worked as an electrician early in his career. When faced with his first heart surgery, he delivered pizza to pay for technical school. After graduation, he worked for more than 25 years as an electrical designer, which took him all over the U.S., including jobs in Kansas, Missouri, Utah, Washington, Louisiana, Michigan, Maryland, California and Alaska.
A bright and curious gentleman, Glenn was also known to be a tinkerer. He had no shortage of mad scientist-type creations in his workspace. He always dreamed of creating an invention that would outlive him.
Glenn was also a prolific writer. He drafted countless songs and poems throughout the years. His writing was a place to explore his spiritual life, and place in this world.
Although Glenn faced physical challenges due to his genetic disease, his open and warm heart welcomed all he met. His charming affability created a unique ability to connect with almost anyone. He will be deeply missed by all, and loved always.
He is survived by his wife Cheryl of Maryville, Tenn.; brother David Blazier of Versailles, Ind.; and sister Carol Spurgeon of Maryville, Tenn. He is also survived by his son Jay Blazier of Overland Park, Kan.; and daughter Angela Brees of Lenexa, Kan. His grandchildren are Shae Blazier of Needville, Texas; Ryan Blazier of Overland Park, Kan.; Bailey Blazier of Overland Park, Kan., and Macaiden Brees of Lenexa, Kansas.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Dora Snyder, and father Harry Blazier.
Graveside service will be held Saturday, May 26, at 11 a.m. at Sherwood Memorial Gardens, 3176 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa, TN 37701. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation at oif.org.
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