Glenn Thompson Barnes

Glenn was born in Pensacola, Florida into a hard-working family who performed just about any trade to earn a living during the Depression era. He graduated high school, from Pensacola High, and waited one year after graduation in order to assist his father in his floor sanding business before attending college.

He was the first of his family to attend college. He first went to Graceland College, a 2-year program, where he rejoices in the retelling of sitting with his friend, and spotting my mother across the way. With confidence, he said to him, "I'm going to marry her." Her name was Bette White from Aurora, Illinois. But being a bit shy, he had difficulty summoning the courage to meet her. So, his wingman George said, "You want to meet her? No problem." So, he walks up to my mother and says, "See that guy over there? He wants to meet you." And so, a true love story was born that was consummated on September 8, 1951, and was to last just shy of 65 years.

Following his graduation from Graceland, he began his tour of duty in the Army, during the Korean conflict, where he was singled out by his superior officer, literally minutes before his ship disembarked to take his comrades to the front lines. His new assignment was to the Dental Corps in Japan, where he served as a dental assistant until the end of his enlistment.

Following his service commitment, he enrolled and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. It was there that Bette birthed their eldest son, Hal, in 1955.

Following his graduation, he secured a managerial position in textile manufacturing at Chemstrand in Pensacola, Florida, later to be renamed Monsanto Corp. Two years later, they were graced by the birth of their second son, Todd in 1957.

During his 8 years of living in Pensacola, he became very active in his local church and served as President of the PTA at his son's elementary school.

His career accelerated when he was recognized and promoted by Monsanto into the Textile Sales Division. This promotion came with the caveat of a move to Charlotte, NC where they resided for 3 years. This was quickly followed by another promotion in marketing and a relocation to Ridgewood, NJ where he was assigned the responsibility of managing the largest textile sales account for Monsanto while working out of the Empire State Building. Each move was made only after much prayer and deliberation as his primary concern always revolved around the effect it would have on his family.

Yet another promotion followed in 1974, to Greenville, SC , as Manager over the customer service center for Monsanto Textiles, working in this capacity until Monsanto closed down their textile division. Rather than making another move, they elected retirement, deciding to make Greenville, their home for the remainder of their days. Although retired, he remained active in the community serving as President of the Greenville Sertoma Club. He ultimately, found himself immersed in the loving associations of those attending the Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church. The friendships that developed there gave him much happiness and meaning that continued to grow as the decades evolved.

Unfortunately, Bette, preceded his passing by 10 years in 2016. Despite his grief, he persevered in adapting to single independent living while still living in his home, managing all of his affairs and even learning how to use his "machines" that he NOT so fondly called his computer and cell phone, until his passing 7/12/2026.

Over the years, our father taught us many qualities to adopt in one's life. He led mostly by example and less frequently by word. He prized inner strength based on a strong Christian belief in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a man of Integrity, Honor, Truth and Love. He taught us to always take pride in giving our best, with honesty and integrity, in whatever you do, regardless of the task being menial or significant. By doing so, good things are apt to follow. But more importantly, it was so you can look in the mirror each morning and feel no shame because you know that you did your best and did it the right way. It is these qualities he valued most and strove to instill in his sons.

He was kind. He listened before he spoke. He loved the young and the old alike including his cadre of Grumpy Old Men that met and commiserated each Tuesday morning.

The quality associations he established in his life were myriad and diverse. He sought to see the good in everyone and if given a lemon, he would make lemonade.

He will be missed, but the impressions that have been indelibly stamped in the hearts and lives of those who knew him and were touched by him, will remain his gift, an endearing saga, that sought to enrich all those within his sphere of influence.

Glenn is survived by his sons Hal Barnes and Todd Barnes; grandchildren David Barnes, Jason Barnes, Karrie McIntyre, and Carly Stambaugh; as well as his great-grandchildren Brett Barnes, Sienna Barnes, Brandon Barnes, Ian Ferguson, and Isaac Barnes.

Visitation will be held at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609, US, on July 17, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A memorial service will be held at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church, 207 Mitchell Road, Greenville, SC 29615, on July 18, 2026, at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Glenn's honor may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation: https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847#!/donation/checkout