Glenn L. Gabbard
Glenn L. Gabbard, 90, of Salem Virginia, passed from this earthly life on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. He was born in St. Paul, Ark., to Milton Sherman and Ida Bell Gabbard, the tenth of ten children. He married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn, and joined the U.S. Air Force where he served ten years as an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic. He applied his skills and talents at United Airlines at their San Francisco facility for 33 years until retirement. Following Evelyn’s premature death, he remarried and eventually relocated to Salem.
Glenn was known for having “the knack,” an exceptional aptitude for repairing all things mechanical. He thoroughly enjoyed building, remodeling, and gardening at home. Truly a jack-of-all-trades, he was always learning something new: beekeeping, locksmithing, and raising rabbits as livestock, to name a few. He was known for being caring, sacrificial, and supportive to his wives, children, and grandchildren.
Glenn was an active member of Cupertino and Campbell Church of Christ during his years in California. He loved volunteering at Daybreak Camp during retirement. After moving to Salem, Va., he became a faithful West Side Church of Christ member until his death. He loved the community and fellowship that he found there.
Glenn is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen, and her daughter, Barbara; his three children, Perry (Penny), Carrie (Mike), and Terri (Ron) from his first wife Mary Evelyn; his eight grandchildren: Joshua, Aaron (Emily), Blake (Brianna), Kelley (Camille), Kasey (Caitlin), Zac (Lauren), Amy (Johnny), Rick (Lauren), and 13 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death was Mary Evelyn, his second wife, Shirley Jean, and his third wife, Audrey Jean.
The family would like to thank the medical teams at the Veterans Administration Medical Center and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for their attentive care of Glenn.
The family will welcome friends for a time of visitation on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at West Side Church of Christ, 1705 Starview Drive, Salem; a memorial service will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Jerry Anderson and Tom Richardson officiating. Interment immediately following in Sherwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to West Side Church of Christ, 1705 Starview Dr., Salem, Va., 24153.
