JERRY LEE GLENN

1934 - 2025

Jerry Lee Glenn, 90 of Lakewood, California, passed away on September 12, 2025, following a sudden massive stroke. A devoted husband, father, veteran and public servant, Jerry will be remembered as a true gentleman -- kind, considerate, warm, and unfailingly gracious who made everyone feel at ease and valued.
Born on October 9, 1934, in Long Beach, California, Jerry's faith was rooted early; he was baptized on Christmas Day in 1946 at First Baptist Church in Glendale. He attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where he played on the golf team, and went on to the University of Redlands, graduating in 1956. Although his father kept him from playing football in high school, Jerry took the field at Redlands and never lost his love of the game. He later earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California in 1971.
In 1957, Jerry answered the call to serve his country, graduating from the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Stationed in Long beach, he served active duty aboard a destroyer with deployments to the Philippines and Japan. He loved the Navy, continuing in the Naval Reserve for 24 years and retiring with pride at the rank of Captain.
Jerry married Delores Thorn in 1959, and together they raised two sons, Greg and Jeff. Ever the coach and cheerleader, he stayed close to their lives through countless sporting events, baseball, crew and especially football, which he coached. In 1995, Jerry married Susan Hitchcock; in July, they celebrated 30 years of marriage at Virginia Country Club. Together they traveled widely throughout Europe and Asia, yet their hearts were always drawn back to Yosemite National Park, a favorite destination they visited often.
A consummate professional, Jerry devoted 38 years to city management, modeling integrity, fairness, and quiet leadership. He served in the City of Los Angeles (1961-1969), the City of Glendale (1969-1973), and the City of Lodi (1973-1995) as Assistant City Manager, before concluding his career as City Manager of Galt (1996-1999). He modeled leadership by word and example and was respected by everyone who worked with him.
Jerry's community service was equally robust. He was past president of both Kiwanis (25 years) and Rotary (15 years), a member of the Masonic Order in Los Angeles and Lodi, and a longtime board member and ten-year president of Lodi Adopt-A-Child, an all-volunteer nonprofit serving underprivileged youth in the community. A man of faith, he served as past president at Salem Lutheran Church in Glendale and Saint Paul Lutheran in Lodi, and after moving south in 2019, joined Bethany Lutheran in Long Beach. He believed giving time and resources to the church was simply returning the gifts God had gifted him.
Retirement suited Jerry's competitive spirit. He played golf four days a week, often shooting in the mid-70s, followed by friendly battles of gin rummy and dice, where he liked to note he "broken even, or was slightly ahead." A lifelong sports fan, he sold soda at the USC Coliseum in college to watch the Rams play and help fund college. He avidly followed college football and the Dodgers, and just the weekend before he passed, he announced with his signature broad grin "what a great weekend" it had been as the Rams, USC, the Dodgers and Navy all won. In recent years, he and Susan took up Duplicate Bridge; Jerry approached it with characteristic zeal, earning the 2024 Ace of Clubs for his first five masterpoints. Susan joked Jerry would become a Life Master .18 points at a time. Jerry was proud to be recognized as a "Super Senior Borracho," a competitive group in their own minds. Although sports played a major role in Jerry's life, he also embraced the arts. He loved the theatre, especially musicals and cherished more than 25 years of season tickets to Broadway shows and the symphony where he occasionally napped.
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Susan Hitchcock; his sons, Greg Glenn (Valorie) of Galt, Jeff Glenn (Kristy) of Star, Idaho; and stepson JR Akin (Sheri) of Long Beach. He leaves behind seven grandchildren and nephews, Bruce Canetti (Kim) and Frank Canetti. He is preceded in death by his parents Marian and Jack Glenn and his sister Barbara Canetti.
A service to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lakewood on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of life and buffet lunch at Lakewood Country Club. Memorial donations may be made to Lodi Adopt-A-Child in Jerry's memory.
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'" Psalms 91.