Glenn Dean Alford

Glenn Dean Alford of Tempe, Arizona passed away on March 1, 2023, just 9 days shy of his 76thbirthday. Glenn was born on March 10, 1947, in the small town of Batesville, Arkansas to Audry (Barber) and G. Warren Alford. He was baby brother to sister Janet and cousin to Fred Combs, who he considered his brother. The family moved to Phoenix in 1952. Glenn was a 1965 graduate of North High School in Phoenix, Arizona where he earned letters in wrestling and football. After high school Glenn went on to play football at Phoenix College where he would meet the love of his life and wife of almost 53 years Kathy (Carl) Alford. He would go on to earn a scholarship at Cal Lutheran to play football, graduating with a degree in Physical Education in 1969. He would eventually earn his MA in Education from Arizona State University in 1974. Glenn was and will always be remembered as a special man who positively impacted many lives throughout his almost 76 years of life. He wore many hats throughout his life: son, husband, Dad, Pappy, brother, uncle, friend, and coach.

He got his first job at Tempe High in 1971 and would stay at Tempe High until he retired in 2001. Soon after his arrival he joined the wrestling and football coaching staffs, eventually becoming the Head Wrestling Coach and Head Football Coach. Glenn was highly respected among his coaching peers. He won the 5A State Wrestling Championship two times in his coaching career. He took great pride in the multiple state champions that he coached throughout his career. As a coach, he touched the lives of generations of students and athletes. Some he was proud to call friends. He was so proud of the kids that he formed such special relationships with while coaching. He was always telling stories of their successes, failures, and some just downright funny times for the rest of his life. In 2014 Glenn would be named to the Arizona High School Coaches Hall of Fame for his work with those student athletes. He was also named an Honorary Member of the Tempe High Hall of Fame. Much deserved recognitions. Following his “retirement” Glenn continued coaching an additional 20 years. First at Cesar Chavez HS and then eventually at Basha High, coaching football and wrestling. One could say that coaching was in his blood.

As great of a coach he was it paled in comparison to what he meant to his family and friends. He was always a positive, humorous, witty, and loving man to all of us lucky enough to call him friend and family. Glenn enjoyed golfing with his wife, buddies, son and son-in-law. He loved jokes. He had a joke ready to go for just about any situation. The same could be said for his gift of storytelling. He had a story for everything.

Glenn is survived by his ever loving, patient and supportive wife of 52 years, Kathy (Carl) Alford; his children; daughter, Kristin and her husband Jeff Reuter and his son, Warren Alford; his three grandchildren, Kaitlin (Brian) Johnson, John II and Meagan Reuter; and his great-granddaughter, Willow Johnson.

He was so proud to be a Pappy and enjoyed attending as many of his grandkids’ games and activities whenever he could. We have all been so blessed to be able to share as much time as we have had with him. Of course, it never seems to be enough. The news of his loss shocked and saddened all of us. He was truly a one-of-a-kind special man who will be missed by all of us who were blessed to be touched by him in our lives.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Tempe High School cafeteria located at 1730 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281 from 1-3pm, followed by a social at Bogey’s Sports Bar & Grill: 6463 S. Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85283 (SW corner of Rural & Guadalupe) from 3-5pm. A *PLEASE PARK IN THE BROADWAY RD PARKING LOT*

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavencarrtenney.com for the Alford family.