Glen J. Thompson

Glen J. Thompson passed away on Monday, August 30, 2021. Cherished son of the late Ralph and Viola Thompson (nee Kaesberg); loving father of Tina M. Thompson, Thomas N. Thompson, and the late Steven M. Thompson and Ginger C. McCormack (nee Thompson); dear father-in-law of John (Joann) McCormack and Phyllis Thompson; treasured grandfather of Mathew (Socheata) McCormack, Alexander McCormack, Stephen Thompson, and the late Lauren M. Mulholland; dear brother of Ivan P. Thompson, Doris Janish (nee Thompson), and the late Clyde Thompson, Earl Thompson, Allen Thompson, and Joyce Thoma (nee Thompson).

Glen was a longtime North County resident. Born in Jennings, he and his family moved in 1939 to their house in the 10100 block of Imperial Drive near the Moline Firehouse. He graduated from barber college in 1954 after serving in the Air Force during the Korean War. After his graduation, he worked for another barber in Berkeley before he acquired his own shop in Ferguson. When he was approached to purchase his shop for a price he couldn't afford to dismiss, he sold his Ferguson Barbershop and moved his business and loyal clientele to Glen's Barbershop at the Lewis and Clark Tower shopping complex in Moline Acres. There, he cut hair for two to three generations of customers.

At age 56, he was the oldest graduate of the St. Louis County Fire Academy and served as a firefighter for the Moline Acres Fire Department from 1989 to 1999. His father was one of the very first volunteers when the Moline Fire Protection District was formed in 1939. With the help of barber, Bob Cwiklowski, who worked for Glen for over 35 years, Glen worked as a full-time firefighter and part-time barber while Bob worked full-time at the Barbershop.

Glen returned to full-time barbering at Glen's Barbershop after retiring as a fireman in 1999. He then retired and sold his shop at the Towers in May 2017 at age 84. Down the strip from the shop is Dowling Optometry. Glen became best friends with Dr. Patrick Dowling and wife, Kathy, over their 31 years down the strip from each other. Dr. Pat and Kathy took Glen out to lunch nearly every week-end. Last outing was a week before he passed where family and friends joined them. A blessing. He was alert and walking on his own with a walker. Appetite - no problem. A usual, he emptied his plate as his mother taught him.

It would be remiss to exclude his hobbies since childhood - hunting and fishing. He continued to hunt until he moved to the Missouri Veterans Home on Lewis and Clark Boulevard in 2019. There he developed many friendships with the residents and staff alike. He passed away at the Veterans Home with family and several teary-eyed staff at his bedside.

Memorial contributions may be made in Glen's honor to Smile Train or Backstoppers.