Karl Gene Eugene Glenn

Gene was born in Ashland, Oregon as the first child to Alton and Stella Glenn on February 4, 1931. He grew up in Graham, Washington and attended Orting High School, graduating in 1949. He proudly served in the Korean War as a military police officer at the rank of Private First Class. He was head of the motor pool from 1951 to 1953 and awarded the following medals: United Nation Service Medal, Korean Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, ROK (Republic of Korea) Presidential Unit Citation and the National Defense Service Medal. He continued to serve for another 8 years in the Army Reserves.

Back in his hometown one day, Gene stopped in at the Thrift General Store in November of 1954, and locked eyes with soon-to-be love of his life, his “Lady,” Rita Mae Mesick. The two began their 59-year journey together on April 15, 1955.

Gene worked in the cattle industry at Glenn Pointe Cattle Ranch with his brothers, and in 1956 they were awarded Cattlemen of the Year. With a strong love and passion for forestry, Gene also worked in the logging and sawmill industry. Eventually he moved his family to Petersburg, Alaska in 1970 to build and manage a new sawmill until 1976. After moving back to Washington, he became a partner in the opening of a laminated beam company, Shelton Structures, until 1996 when he sold his share in the company. He went on to become a consultant in the industry through 2007. He enjoyed hiking, camping and anything that involved spending time with his family.

Gene is survived by his wife Rita M. Glenn of Graham, brother Dale and sister Polly Glenn; nine children, sons: Joseph, John, Anthony, and Thomas Glenn, and daughters: Melody Shaw, Lorena O’Shaughnessy, Gena Cormack, Anita Glenn-Reller and April Milligan, 20 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Stella Glenn, and three brothers: Harvey, Norman and Alton E. Glenn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of the Gene Glenn Memorial Fund at http://act.alz.org/goto/GeneGlenn Condolences may be left in Gene’s online guestbook at obits.dignitymemorial.com.

A celebration of his life will be held at Kapowsin Event Center in Graham, Washington, Friday, August 15th at 6pm.

Arrangements under the direction of Powers Funeral Home, Puyallup, WA.