Glenn Evans Link

1938 - 2024

Glenn Evans Link

May 6, 1938 - September 2, 2024

Glenn, 86, of Hickory, passed into the arms of Jesus peacefully on Monday, September 2, 2024, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory.

Glenn was born in Granite Falls, NC, on May 6, 1938, to the late James S. Link and Hester Williams Link.

In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by four brothers; one sister; a grandson, Ryan Coffey; and a daughter-in-law, Suzi Link.

He graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1956. During his high school days at Granite Falls High School, he was an outstanding athlete in baseball and football. He is credited with being the first baseball player to knock a homerun out of Moe Deal Stadium and achieving 27 straight hits his senior year, where he was heavily scouted by the Chicago Cubs. He earned an athletic scholarship to play football for Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory and was on the baseball team. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Business Administration Degree from Lenoir Rhyne College in 1960.

Glenn joined Snyder Paper Corporation in September of 1961 where he enjoyed a successful 42 year career as credit manager and human resources director until his retirement in 2003. After retirement from Snyder Paper Corporation, he began a whole new career in real estate properties with the establishment of West View Acres LLC, which remained active until his departure to heaven.

He was an active member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Hickory where he served as an usher and greeter for many years. Glenn's family and friends are grateful for the gift of his life.

He enriched us more than he would ever know. We will miss him unimaginably, but his spirit will continue to live on in our hearts forever.

His lifetime hobbies included hunting, fishing, kayaking, fly fishing, family genealogy, reading the bible, collecting antique tools dating to the Civil War era, camping, as well as playing church and industrial league softball. He was an avid reader and had books in every single room.

Glenn enjoyed attending sports, musicals, and cheerleading events as well as other activities that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participated in. On his 50th wedding anniversary of a joy-filled 67 year marriage, Glenn and his wife Diane traveled to Scotland and Ireland where they experienced new cultures and traditions. Of all the daily activities and interests Glenn pursued, he enjoyed spending time with and loving his family the most.

Glenn will ultimately be remembered by all for his infectious smile, loyalty to everyone, and for seeing a stranger as a friend he has yet to meet. He was an outstanding father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, and friend. It was a joy to have met him and a pleasure to have known him. Our hearts will always weigh heavy for his absence, but we will equally find joy, comfort, and peace with the promise to be with him again in the kingdom of God Almighty.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Diane Johnston Link; three children, Douglas L. Link, Becky Link Coffey and husband Jimmy, and Michael Link; three grandchildren, Jennifer Coffey, Carter Link, and Cooper Link; and two great-grandchildren, Gwen Coffey Shuford and Logan Coffey.

A service to celebrate Glenn's life will be held at 3 p.m., on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory.

The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service from 2 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 52 16th Ave., NW, Hickory, NC 28601.