Jack Glenn Obituary

Glenn, Jack Whitelaw
November 6, 1933 - January 7, 2013
Noted Southern California art dealer Jack Glenn died in Carlsbad, CA, on January 7, 2013, from complications of a fall and advanced dementia. He was born November 6, 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Jack H. Glenn and Glendine W. Glenn, and graduated from the University of Kansas, where he was president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Upon graduation in 1955, he married Constance Aline White and, within months, began service in the USAF, retiring as a captain in 1958. While he was vice president of King Louie Int., Inc., the Kansas City sportswear manufacturing firm of which his father was a founder, the Glenns became deeply involved in contemporary art, beginning what would become one of the most important Pop art collections in America, featured in numerous publications including Art in America and The Collector in America. In 1970, Jack, Connie and daughters Laurie and Caroline and son Christopher, moved to Laguna Beach, CA, and in May he opened his first gallery in Corona del Mar, where he showed the work of the founders of Pop art, along with that of trend-setting young Southern California artists. His eponymous galleries eventually included others in San Diego, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Los Angeles (Glenn-Dash) and from 1970-1975 he was the largest dealer in prints published By Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles. He also served as the founding president of the board of the Laguna Beach Museum of Art, (Laguna Art Museum), the president of the first community board of South Coast Repertory Theater, board member of the Newport Harbor Art Museum and president of the Art Dealers Assoc. of Southern California. Jack is survived by his wife Connie, their daughters Laurie (Alan Buckle) and Caroline (Rob Galey), son John Christopher (Anne-Marie Lents), his sister Frances Ann (James Suderman), seven grandchildren: Alexander, Eleanor and Charlotte Buckle; Gavin and Jameson Galey; Jack and Cooper Glenn, and many nieces and nephews. Services will be private. Donations may be made to PAWS/LA (www.pawsla.org) or The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Feb. 15, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Glenn

4 Entries

Christopher Georgesco

October 15, 2023

Been awhile. You showed my first piece in your gallery in 1972. I will always remember you.
"Wedge Extraction" 1971 wood

August 15, 2013

I too got my start working at the Jack Glenn Gallery in Corona Del Mar, although it was only for a brief period of time before Jack decided to close the gallery and move it to Los Angeles. It was Jack, however, who suggested to me that I should 'open my own gallery' as I had had months of experience and surely could do it on my own. Anyway, he said, Orange County needed to have a gallery. Thus, the Susan Spiritus Gallery was born which is now going into its 38th year. Thank you Jack.

Bruce Richards

February 19, 2013

Jack ( and Connie) treated artists like extended family. The JGG in Corona del Mar was a place for the community to see and learn and open 7 days a week. Jack brought contemporary art of the times to the area to augment Newport Harbor Art Museums exhibitions. He gave many of the young artists who had attended UCI our first exposures. I worked at the gallery as well for 3 years before moving to Los Angeles and that period was a formative one. The professionalism and grace the Glenn's showed in the gallery and in their lives was a wonderful introduction into the art world and its possibilities.
I cannot thank Jack and Connie enough, and over the years their contributions to the arts, especially in Orange County ,should be acknowledged. Jack's smile, seen in the photo, is how he appeared at the gallery each day.
He is missed, but never forgotten. Best and warmest wishes to the family.

Bob

February 13, 2013

I am grateful for the life of Mr. Glenn. Thanks to his service and to the service of others in our armed forces, my family and I have been able to lead our lives in freedom and peace.