Dawn asked that  I include the words and thoughts that were shared  at the service for Glen.  Due to length, it’s submitted in 5 notes.

Beginnings. 
I first met Glen when we were both at Lansing Christian, in the early 80’s, two young teachers in the early steps of our careers.

I must admit, When I first met Glen, he almost seemed to have an aura about him…a maze and blue aura… then I realized it was just the color of the coat he was wearing, and the color of his hat and tie and socks… and so began our connection: brothers in Christ; teachers of students at our little school, and a lot of joking between a Spartan and a Wolverine.

Glen taught band and it was that in that setting, I first heard the sweet sounds he could produce on the trumpet.

Note 2
Complications and Perspectives. 
A few years later I was in a different role at the school. I was the assistant principal at the school. When the opening day for staff to return arrived, I knew I had to share some news with the staff that I didn’t really want to share, for many reasons. But, I wanted the staff to know from me and not from rumors or whispers or gossip. I shared that my wife and I were struggling, we were separated and I so hoped that things would work out. Folks, even now that is hard to say with this crowd. (By the way, it all worked out). I left the group. The assistant pastor of the church I had been attending and with whom I had been counseling with, then shared with the staff in my absence. I knew some of the staff may have felt that, perhaps, I should no longer be a leader in the organization. I headed back to my office, tried to do some work, but wondered how it was going, what people were thinking.
Suddenly I heard a rap rap rap, 
“You have any plans for lunch?” Glen asked.
“I don’t! 
“Good, come on, let’s go!”
Glen drove his Dodge product, I believe the Michigan fight song was playing on the cassette player. I think it was on “loop mode” as I’m sure it played constantly during the ride.
When we arrived, we sat, prayed and then Glen spoke.
“Hey, I just want you to know I care about you. I care about your wife. I care about your kids. You will be in our prayers and in our thoughts
Jack, I so hope it all works out.”

No judgment, no asking questions, just standing with me, in kindness, holding my family in hope and in prayer. 
Glen’s action, connection, caring and reaching out meant more to me on that day than words can say. That action still does to this day and has always been an example to and reminded me of the importance of reaching out to those that are hurting.


Note 3
Rivalry Talk. 
Let’s face it, Glen put up with ‘a lot’ living in the land of Spartans. He was always gracious. But a special conversation took place right over there. Often at church, and especially during football and basketball season, I’d walk up to Glen before or after service to say…something. A couple of years ago, our oldest grandson was diagnosed with cancer. The University of Michigan’s Mott Children’s hospital became a very special place for his care, and a very special place to me. During one stay at Mott, my grandson, also a Michigan fan, was visited by UM basketball players Jordan Poole and Iggy Brazdeikis. Well, I had to tell Glen about that visit. I also told him that because of the incredible care at Mott, I had actually gone out and bought me a Meechigan Tshirt. 

He just beamed. 

Then I shared, “Glen, I need you to know even before all this, I root for UM teams when they are not playing MSU. This time he looked at me with shock, perhaps disbelief at that statement. And then politely said, “ umm, I,…I could never do that (for State).”


Note 4
Love, Grace and Care.
During a visit back in December, Dawn made a fun statement admitting that Glen agreed he was not the best patient and that she was not the best caregiver. Both Glen and Dawn chuckled and nodded their heads. If you’ve been able to come along side a family that knows the heartache of a child with muscular dystrophy, or a family, such as the Akers with an ALS diagnosis, you begin realized the tremendous, sometimes exhaustive work that’s required. One that grows a little more challenging each day. Just a few weeks ago, I called and asked to stop over. I was a little ahead of my expected arrival time. When I knocked on the door, Dawn came and let me in. She noted that she was helping Glen get his shoes on and quickly returned to his side to help. Folks, I watched Dawn as she knelt and carefully worked the shoes onto Glen’s feet and the calf supports onto his legs. She pulled on the shoe strings to secure the shoe’s fit and then gently tied each string. They quietly talked back and forth. I could no longer understand any of Glens words, but Dawn could. She could because of the daily care and love. I felt so privileged to have witness this act of love and grace and care, this very intimate time between the two of them.  I felt out of place and yet I was so glad to be there. Dawn, thank you for being a living action of vows. Thank you for your love and care.


Note 5
Perfect.
Finally, Glen was a giver. A giver of time and the wonderful gift of music. Glen felt it was important to give back and one of the many ways he did that was to play Taps at the funeral service of a fallen veteran.  Early on, following his diagnosis, I had a conversation with Glen about his no longer being able to play the trumpet. “That must be like losing a dear friend.” I said. Glen’s reaction showed that my comment was such an understatement.

He asked me to follow him down to his office in the basement. Once there, he introduced me to his collection of dear friends. He explain the history and the special connection with each instrument. He picked up one that I remember him playing right here at South. It look like a baby trumpet. “I remember when you played that at church, I loved it!” I said. “Is that called a trumpetet?”

Politely, professionally, Glen shook his head “no” and then noted, “It’s a piccolo trumpet.”

We returned upstairs and he shared that his last performance was just about a year ago at a special service that honored veterans, including family members down, I believe, in Kentucky.

Glen commented the closer he got to the day he was to preform at the special service the more he found himself struggling to play the instrument of choice, the one so appropriate for this important hymn we know as “Taps” …the trumpet.

To preform the piece requires one to hit clear, high notes. He found it difficult to be precise, to assure each note would be on target. He wanted this rendition to be perfect. To accomplish that goal, he chose to play Taps on the piccolo trumpet. He took his position, out of sight from the crowd. When the time came…he preform his final concert for a group of very special people.

How did it go I asked. Dawn said “it was perfect.”

Well done my friend, my colleague, my brother in Christ.

Dawn, Ryan, Ashley and family;
We were so sorry to hear about Glen. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the coming days. We never tired of hearing Glen play his trumpet in church, especially on the occasions when he would play a solo. How comforting to know that he is able to play once again but with no struggles, and with the same gusto and perfection that he once played with here on earth.  May you rest in peace Glen. You will be missed by so many. We're grateful for the opportunity to have known you.

Dear Dawn, Ryan, Ashley, and family,
We are deeply sorry.   We are holding you in our hearts and keeping you in our prayers.  We are thankful that we knew Glen.
With much love,
Cathy and Dave Frazee

OBITUARY

Glen James Akers

September 4, 1954 – July 8, 2021

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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