Rioh P. Glendinning

Rioh P. Glendinning also known to many as “Glen” was born July 9, 1932 to John & Marie (Houllion) Glendinning in LosAngeles,CA. He passed from this life, February 18, 2024 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, TX.

Funeral services will be held 2:00pm, Monday, February 26, 2024 , at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont, Texas.

Visitation will be held at 1:00pm, Monday, February 26, 2024 , at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont, Texas.

The oldest of five, he grew up in Alhambra, California until moving to Las Vegas, NV with his mom and siblings in the late 40’s. He joined the Navy in 1951 and served our country during the Korean Conflict, he was assigned to the Willis A Lee DL4. While in the service he was stationed at the Naval base in Orange, TX. Night watch was a learning experience having never met a mosquito nor had he ever seen how the night sky would light up with “heat” lightning - that began a life long fascination for him. He loved to sit on the porch and watch the lightning as it bolted across the sky.
In 1952, through mutual friends he met his sweetheart and the love of his life, Maureen Goins, on a blind date. They had a “long distance romance” writing letters back & forth, seeing each other when he was on leave until he was discharged from the service
in March of 1955. They were married June 17 the same year. Making their life together in the South Park area of Beaumont, Texas, they had two children and were active in their church, Florida Avenue Baptist Church. He was ordained as a deacon years later after accepting the Lord as his personal savior.
Glen worked as a machinist at Oil City Brass Works for 31 years, until they closed their doors. He was later employed at Standard Alloy’s in Pt.Arthur, TX until he retired on his 65th birthday!
He was an amazing Papaw to his two grandsons, Keith & Todd, and was always ready to play outside with them or let them “build” something in his shop. Papaw Glen attended all their events for school, sports, scouting, concerts and football games to watch that mighty pirate marching band always looking for Todd & his tuba. He was also very involved in helping Keith with his Eagle Scout project, a bridge in Claiborne park. He loved and supported them, even helping to be sure they both graduated from Lamar debt free. He helped to mold them into the men they are today.
Glen studied his Bible and loved to read, many different genres, he enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, word search, and especially “piddling” in his shop for hours making all kinds of wooden treasures from little animals for Maureen’s classroom to chains, Christmas ornaments, toys, games, wind spinners& even a clock. He whittled a chain from a matchstick and one from a tree after it fell during a storm!
He was a faithful servant to the Lord! He was more a behind the scenes kind of servant, he took care of all the finances, making deposits, paying bills and making sure all the bonds for building projects were taken care of correctly. After his retirement he was the "grounds keeper" and 'handy man' at the church making sure the lawn was manicured and everything was in good working order on the inside as well. He served at both Florida Avenue Church in South Park then at the Lighthouse church in Rose City.
Dad, Papaw Glen, Uncle Glen or "Glen" was a special man who will be greatly missed. Most of all by the one who stole his heart over 70 years ago and was his wife for almost 69 years, Maureen, they shared a good life together.
He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, his four siblings, John, Rio, Cece, & Robert, and brother-in-law, Jimmy Goins. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, son Phillip, daughter, Jill & beloved son-in-law Byron Herring, two grandsons, Keith & wife Sarah, Todd & wife Kayla, four great-granddaughters, Madison, Kyla, Waverly & Kallie, two sisters-in-law, Ada Goins & Marsha Glendinning, brother-in-law Dan Harnett, and many nieces & nephews and their precious families.
We are grateful for the care he received at Baptist hospital and with Harbor Hospice. And for all who have prayed for our family during this time, your prayers have carried us through and lifted us up to have peace, calm and comfort. Thank you all for your love and kindness, they have truly helped us & made a difference in our time of sadness. We rejoice to know he has been perfectly healed & we will see him again!