Gene L. Glider

GENE L. GLIDER

Lakewood, Colo.

Gene L. Glider, 82, of Lakewood, CO, passed away November 15, 2021, with his daughter at his side.

Gene was born May 21, 1939, in the small town of Washington, IA, to Francis and Vera (Sowash) Glider. He graduated Washington High School in 1958 and as was an active member of the choir, theater, student council and the Reserves.

Gene was very proud to follow in his father's footsteps, a WWII U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and join the U.S. Military to serve our Country. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1959 and served in Korea, Cambodia, Okinawa, and Saigon during the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of a Letter of Appreciation, a Good Conduct Medal, and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and was honorably discharged in 1963 as an Airman 1st Class.

Gene was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars since 1965 and a Life Member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks for 55 years.

Following his discharge from the military, Gene made residence in Colorado and worked for the Colorado Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle Division from 1967-1993, working his way from Administrative Clerk to Chief.

Gene married his first wife, Carolyn, in 1966 and had his only daughter, Gena, in 1969 whom he jokingly referred to as his "favorite daughter." Gene married second wife, Shirley, in 1971 and would spend the next 47 years with her residing in both Denver, CO, and Phoenix, AZ, metropolitan areas until her passing in 2019.

Gene loved traveling, playing cards, golfing, amateur photography, being an armchair quarterback and Monday morning critic of the Denver Broncos, fishing, mushroom hunting, drinking beer and always acquiring "the next thing," including a Pantera DeTomaso and several different residences.

He is survived by his first wife, C. Carolyn (Carman); and daughter, Gena McCracken, and husband, Matt of Wheat Ridge, CO.

Gene was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley K. (Pierce); sister, Christy Lee (Sowash) Fort; and both parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in remembrance of Shirley K. Glider.

Memorial Service: 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80236; Staging Area "A."