Glenn M Bivins

Glenn Martin Bivins, age 74, passed away November 5, 2020. He was the first born son to Adolphus and Willa Mae (Young) Bivins in Flint, MI. Glenn was raised in Flint and attended public school there, graduating from Flint Central High School in 1964. Glenn loved sports and received letters in football, basketball and track. Upon graduation he attended local Flint colleges while working. Military duty soon called when his selective service status changed, he opted to join the U.S. Air Force. After basic training his active duty was stateside prior to orders for a tour in Vietnam. Glenn served from August 1965 until his Honorable Discharge in January 1969. After serving our country Glenn’s focus, with the aid of the GI Bill, was to return to college full time. He studied Industrial Relations, at Michigan State University from 1970 to 1974. In 1973 Glenn joined the United States Department of Labor as part of the Labor Education Advancement Program. In 1976, Glenn was hired by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Glenn was appointed State Director in 2001. After 37 years of building bridges in the apprenticeship community, Glenn retired from his position December 31, 2010. He received numerous service awards and letters of appreciation. The Michigan Apprenticeship and Steering Committee (MASCI) honored Glenn by naming an “Apprentice of the Year” scholarship in his name.

Glenn is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ollie and Climmie Bivins and Mariah Jefferson and Henry Young; his parents, Adolphus Bivins and Willa Mae Page; and his sister, JoAnn Young. He leaves behind to treasure his memory his son, Craig Bivins Sr.; grandchildren, Craig Bivins Jr. (Wendy) and Tiffany; great-grandchildren, Elaina and Brooklyn Bivins, all of Chicago, IL; and his brother, Art Bivins of Flint, MI. Others that have shared his life are June Daman, Kathryn Bivins, and Jo Anne Royston (Craig’s mother).

Glenn loved travel, politics and sports. Glenn refereed basketball for many years and was often seen on the court giving the young players tips on their game. Above all he enjoyed college football, especially MSU football. Until Glenn could not drive to Flint himself, he would travel home to Flint to get his hair cut and a shave at Skinner's, where one barber was an MSU fan the other was a Michigan fan. There he could catch up with friends from home and argue about each play of a game. Glenn had MSU season tickets for many years. While tailgating during a trying season, Glenn would calmly say, “It’ll be alright.”

Glenn had the gift of remembering everyone he met; no matter where he was he would find a connection. His family, friends, and YMCA buddies will miss his banter and cool calmness.

Visitation and a funeral will be held Saturday, November 14, at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI 48917. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and the funeral will follow immediately at 3:00 p.m. Please be sure to wear a mask and observe social distancing. Interment will occur at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in the spring of 2021. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Lansing or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

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