Glenn Kiyoto Sanjume

Generous, kind, humble, and hardworking, Glenn led two distinguished careers—in the U.S. Air Force and at the University of California, Davis. Family was very important to him. His quiet strength provided a steadfast source of comfort and support to all who knew him.

A longtime Wheatland, California resident, Glenn was born in Kahuku, Hawaii, on Feb. 5, 1938. The third-generation Japanese American grew up on Oahu's North Shore, surrounded by his large extended Shigemitsu and Sanjume families.

After attending the University of Nebraska, Glenn enlisted in the Air Force in October 1958, serving for 26 years and retiring as a master sergeant and superintendent of the dental clinic at Beale Air Force Base in Yuba County. After he completed initial training, Glenn was assigned to the dental clinic at Torrejón Air Base in Spain, where he met his wife, Elia, who worked there as a nurse. After their marriage in Madrid in 1963, Glenn was transferred to Loring Air Force Base in Maine, where Elia gave birth to their four children—Helen, Elia, Tony, and Michael. The family later moved to Goose Bay Air Base in Canada, then to Beale Air Force Base in 1973, finally settling in Wheatland in 1982.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Glenn worked for 15 years at the UC Davis bookstore, starting in 1988 when three of his children were students there. He regularly brought food and snacks to his children on campus—care packages that, while not strictly necessary, were always welcomed by his kids and their roommates. Retiring in April 2003, he often stated that working with the student staff kept him young at heart.

Glenn's love of food was legendary. His family could always count on finding his pantry, two refrigerators, and extra freezer abundantly stocked with food he enjoyed sharing. He delighted in taking his family on long day trips throughout California, never hesitant to drive late into the night so they could visit favorite places with a picnic lunch in tow. Glenn believed that sharing a meal with family was the greatest expression of love.

A devoted husband, Glenn regularly brought flowers to his loving wife of 60 years, a tradition he continued after Elia's passing in 2023.

Glenn is survived by his children Helen George (and husband Todd), Elia, Tony, and Michael Sanjume (and wife Caroline); grandchildren Carmen Kohlruss (and husband Craig), William George (and wife Chandra), Isabela and Lily Sanjume; great-grandson Gideon George; sister Helen Sanjume; and many extended family members.

A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. March 6, 2026 at St. Daniel Catholic Church, 214 Main Street, Wheatland, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m., and burial at Wheatland Cemetery, 4865 Wheatland Road, Wheatland.