JOHN GLYNN, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT
John Thomas Glynn, born April 22, 1938, passed away December 21, 2023. Johnny was loved by his
wife, Betti (Douchette), for 62 years, by his children and their spouses, Jack, Kathleen (Jim Stocker),
Beth (Dave Schirmer), and Bill; by his grandchildren, Christine Schirmer (Dave Zimmerman), Ali
Schirmer, Will Stocker (Zoe Curry), Thomas Stocker (Beth Noble-Stocker), Matthew Stocker, Chris Neer, Tex
Glynn, John Thomas Glynn III, Emma Glynn, and by his great grandchildren, Ellie, Parker and Emery
Zimmerman. By his brother, Frank, sisters Sis Walden, Pat Jones (Al), Mernie Hutman (Bob), Anne Rosen and Joan Glynn (Kerry Damish), as well as by many nieces and nephews. Welcoming him into eternal life were his parents, John Glynn and Mary Louise Ollice Glynn and his brother, Mike Glynn. In his final year and a half he
was taken care of and loved by his aid, Becky Barnes.
A talented builder and fixer-upper, John designed and built many family decks and renovated family
rooms and kitchens. John used his building talent to serve his country in the Navy Sea Bees
(Construction Battalion) 1963-1965. While at AT&T, his two favorite jobs were the supervision of the
move into 16 floors of the Atrium II building in downtown Cincinnati and as building manager of an
underground facility in Carrboro, North Carolina.
After 30 years with AT&T, John retired, as he liked to say, "five times" having continued after AT&T
for a brief time with Hunt Development, four years as the business manager at St. John Catholic
Church in Cincinnati, as "I'm just the bookkeeper" at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia Beach,
and as bookkeeper for a theater company in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Ordained as a Permanent Deacon in 1983, John served for 12 years at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Catholic Church in Cincinnati, before moving to his hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia to help take
care of his mother, and to live by the beach. While at IHM, he preached the gospel at Sunday liturgies,
was a spiritual director for Christ Renews His Parish retreat weekends, and used his lovely Irish tenor
voice to chant Christ our Light and the Exsultet at the Easter Vigil.
Family trips back to Virginia were a regular summer event. Traveling with four children was made
easier by playing games and singing songs. The trip was fine. It was just the "anticipation" that was
difficult. The kids remember those days and laugh now at their Dad's famous, "It's not the trip! It's the
anticipation!" Being greeted by a large family and old friends, Nancy and Jody and all the Dixons,
made all the effort that went into the trip worth it. That, and eating his favorite thing, blue crabs from
the Chesapeake Bay.
John and Betti enjoyed traveling without four children later in life. They made a trip to Italy and Sicily,
returning home across the Atlantic on a cruise ship. Other cruises were taken to the Caribbean and to
New England and Canada, as well as two cross country train trips. Favorite activities included Wednesday movies and dinner with Pete and Helen, Tripoli and Dominoes with Louise and Frank and Pat and Jim, and spontaneous dinners, random art movies and good conversation with Marie and Brennan, and wine tastings with Karen and Jim.
After several years of reflection and questioning, John and Betti left the Catholic Church and began
exploring other faith expressions. 2017 found them settled at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
in Anderson Township. John sang in the choir and developed a close relationship with then Pastor Henry
Zorn.
As he began to decline, John's world became smaller. Most of his time was spent at home working
jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. He enjoyed World War II documentaries for as long as he could
stay awake for them :). Saturday and Sunday treats were hot chocolate and cards with Betti.
The most important thing to be said, though, is that in addition to his many talents and adventures,
Johnny was loved by everyone who knew him. He always took time to listen to anyone who had a tale
to tell or a story to share. He had a tender heart and he was a hugger and lover of people. He holds a
place in many hearts.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection at 11am.
The link for the livestream will be:
https://www.youtube.com/live/Lm7Z6IPyBFc?si=RfNTB_IAWNCBoDg6>/a>