Glen Walter Lenox

Born in 1928 in Dayton, Kentucky, he moved often as his father, a United Methodist minister, was assigned to churches in the central and eastern parts of the state. Glen attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, then the US Naval Academy, graduating in 1952. During flight training in Pensacola, Florida, he met Jetta and they married in 1954. His long and illustrious career with the Navy included 846 fixed wing carrier landings, 16 carrier deployments, combat tours in Vietnam, and serving as program manager for the F/A-18 Hornet. He led the Navy/Marine Corps team from the program’s beginning, through development, to the first production decision, ultimately overseeing the first fielded squadron at NAS Lemoore as Commander, Light Attack Wing, Pacific, an achievement of which he was particularly proud. Glen developed the concept of a true multi-mission carrier-based tactical aircraft and coined the term Strike Fighter. The F/A-18 was used by the Blue Angels for 34 years.

Perhaps from moving so often in both childhood and adult life, Glen loved to be on the go, equally fond of planes, trains, and automobiles (and navigating freeways as if in a cockpit). His curiosity and wonder about everything he saw out a window never lessened, and his delight in learning new things never ceased.

Glen loved golf almost as much as he loved his family. He enjoyed perfecting his game at home courses and exploring new ones across the world; he played his final games at Kings County Country Club. In retirement, Glen volunteered at a variety of civic organizations and churches. He and Jetta joined Hanford First United Methodist in 2013, when they moved from San Diego.

Glen is survived by his four children and their spouses: Jennifer Shearer (Dan) in Maryland; Kelly Lenox (Chris Laskowski) in Oregon; Amy Medeiros (Adam) in Hanford, California, and Mark Lenox (Lynn) in Gardnerville, Nevada; eleven grandchildren and their loved ones, along with a twelfth who has been awaiting him in heaven; eight great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and friends across the country.

Interment will be at Bay View Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida, next to his beloved Jetta. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that gifts be made to: Valley Christian Home, 511 E Malone St, Hanford, CA 93230, (559) 585-3000; or the US Naval Academy Alumni Association [https://www.usna.com/ways-to-give], which funds scholarships such as the one he benefited from, and publishes Shipmate Magazine which gave him great joy throughout his long life (he always had the latest issue within easy reach).