Kenneth Kern Glenn of Fillmore, peacefully passed away into heaven on Sunday, July 05, 2009 after a brief illness. He was 93 years young!
Ken or Kenny known to his family and friends, was born in El Paso, Texas on March 25, 1916 to William and Iva Glenn. He moved with his family to Quincy, Illinois for 2 years. When he was 6 years old, they moved to Glendale, California. He graduated from Glendale High School in 1934. He received a degree in subtropical horticulture from U.C.L.A. in 1939. One of his first jobs after college was at the soils lab at Rancho Sespe. He then worked in the San Joaquin valley at a vineyard, working in a soils lab. It was in Delano, where he met Dorothy Root, and on December 22, 1943, they were married. He and Dorothy had 60 wonderful years together. Ken and Dorothy moved back to Rancho Sespe in 1947, where he worked as a Field Superintendent and Assistant Manager, working his way up to Executive Vice-President by the time he retired in 1978.
Ken was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Fillmore Bible Church and most recently, Faith Community Church in Fillmore. He was a member of the Gideons International Ventura Camp. There were several organizations that Ken took an active role in for the community of Fillmore including: Fifty + year member of the Fillmore/Santa Paula Masonic Lodge #291 (recipient of the Hiram Award, 1991); Fifty + year member of the Fillmore Chapter of Eastern Star #361; Fifty + year member of the Scottish Rite; Al Malaikah Shriners; Past President of the Fillmore Elementary School Board; member of the board of the Associate Insectory; Past President of the Ventura County Farm Bureau; member of the Toastmasters Club; Volunteer for Food Share for 20 years; member of the Fillmore Citizens Patrol. He was nominated for Citizen of the Year in Fillmore in 1991.
Ken was a very devoted Christian man, and always had a positive attitude with a zest for life. He was always willing to help if asked by a friend or a stranger. He enjoyed being with his family, gardening, camping, traveling, bee keeping, raising decollate snails and most recently providing a Farmer’s Market for the residents at The Palms assisted living facility in Ventura where he resided. Ken will truly be missed by all who knew him. On Father’s Day, June 21, 2009, Ken told his children that they were his legacy, we have always been so very proud of our Dad.
Ken was preceded in death by an infant son, Gordon Wilbur Glenn in 1944, and his wife, Dorothy Glenn in 2004.
Ken is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Eleanore and Mark Hanson, of Gardnerville, NV, son and daughter-in-law, Bailey and Sherrie Glenn of Fillmore, CA, grandsons, Brian Hanson of Costa Mesa, CA, Mike Hanson of Santa Paula, CA and Matthew Glenn of Virginia Beach, VA. Step-grandchildren, Kelly Aguilera, Matthew Van Why and Amy Lynch, all of Fillmore and six step-great grandchildren.
The Garden
Here in it’s beauty, characters were molded,
Like buds as they open,
Pour thoughts were unfolded.
Let’s pause for a moment, and in silent prayer,
Be most grateful to God, for this garden so rare.
Hold fast to this thought,
That where ever you roam,
With love and affection,
We will welcome you home.
Written by Ken’s father,
William Holt Glenn
Christmas 1939
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the TLC Home Hospice, Gideon International or the Abiding Memorial Fund of the Faith Community Church.
A celebration of life for Ken will be held on Friday, July 17, 2009 at 12:00p.m. at the Faith Community Church, 461 Central Ave., Fillmore, CA.