Glenn L. Barnhart

Glenn Leon Barnhart was born in Springfield, Ohio on Saturday, July 14, 1934 to parents Walter Harold Barnhart and Addie (Mahan) Barnhart and was their only child. Glenn's parents divorced when he was young, and Addie later married Charles "Buck" Buchanan, who filled the primary role of father in Glenn's life. Glenn worked in Buck's electronics shop during high school and joined the Air Force after he graduated, serving 23 years. Glenn met Theresa "Terry" Jung while home on leave in 1956, while she was working as a waitress at Stockdale's Restaurant. They were married on Saturday, October 25, 1958 and together until she passed away in 2020. During their life together, they lived in Springfield, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska; Rheinmain, Germany; and finally San Antonio, Texas, where they lived for more than 50 years. In the summer of 1965, they adopted Jeffrey Glenn, and then adopted Jean Marie in the winter of 1970.
Glenn honorably served in the United States Air Force from 1954-1977, which included unaccompanied overseas assignments in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand during the Vietnam War. He started out in electronics. He often told the story of how he received that assignment: Originally assigned to be an Air Traffic Controller, Glenn was on his way to the bus for technical school when the drill sergeant stopped him. Leadership had learned Glenn had a background working in electronics at his stepfather's appliance shop. When asked why he hadn't told them he had a background in electronics, Airman Barnhart's classic response was, "You didn't ask." After some years in electronics, Glenn was selected for reassignment to secure communications. This new technical specialty demanded extensive memorization, overseas assignments to some very dangerous places, and long months away from his family. However, it also yielded an immeasurable impact on the operations of the United States Air Force, a fulfilling and rewarding career path, security for his family, and lifelong friendships. His favorite assignment was the time he spent as an instructor at the Cryptography school. He retired after 23 years on active duty, and then served another 21 years in Civil Service as a civil engineer. Glenn worked hard because it was what he did best, and these were the experiences he recounted most often and most enthusiastically.
Glenn joined the Freemasons in 1974 and served as a faithful member for 50 years. He served in various leadership roles for Lodge 1205, including two terms as Worshipful Master. He became especially well-known for his management of the Lodge's annual yard sale fundraiser, which was named in his honor.
In his off time, Glenn greatly enjoyed woodworking and made many crafts that can be found in the homes of his family and friends, as well as projects he sold at craft shows or to neighbors passing by. He played racquetball with some good friends from work and went deer hunting with his stepfather, friends and son, Jeff. Throughout their life, Glenn and Terry also enjoyed playing various card games with friends and family. Playing Liverpool Rummy remains a family favorite pastime to this day, and it's a rare family get-together that we don't play at least once.
Glenn's health began its final decline in May 2024 with a series of falls that ultimately led to his transition to hospice care at home. He passed away in his sleep on December 22, 2024 at his residence in San Antonio, Texas. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Theresa Marie (Jung) Barnhart; mother, Addie Buchanan; and stepfather, Charles Buchanan. He is survived by his son, Jeff Barnhart, and his wife, Kathy; daughter, Jean Cobb; grandchildren Brittney, Joshua B., Katlyn, Jonathan, Theresa Rose, and Joshua C.; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Gabriel; and sister-in-law, Sue.
Often death seems a time to only speak of the favorable or superficial parts of a person, but we find ourselves asking
What honor does it serve to remember a person differently than they were?
And how can a person's life be summarized in a few forgotten paragraphs?
When asked what he believed was most important in life, Glenn said, "to be happy." He entreated people with that notion and wrote it in greeting cards. He was proud, private, disciplined, and pragmatic. People have often described him as "a hard man." He was not a nurturing type, quick to judge and slow to admit when he was wrong. As often as he was ever described as being difficult, he was also described as hilarious (often in quite an inappropriate fashion). Throughout his adult life, he was always cracking jokes - especially in emotionally uncomfortable situations. What he lacked in apologetic capabilities, Glenn compensated for in efficacy. Molded by his upbringing on the coattails of the Great Depression, his personal drive and intelligence helped him achieve notable success in his work while continually improving his family's quality of life. He knew what he wanted, knew who he was, and did the best he could to compensate for the gaps.
Just days prior to his passing, Glenn told his son that there were things he would take with him to his grave. What memories and impressions of him remain do not fully encapsulate his being, but being the private man that he was, perhaps that was his intention.
"You can't fight death, but Grandpa, stubborn as he was, sure did try. I'm not sure what it was. He was clear his favorite person was gone, and that he longed to be with her. But there was something about this life he clung to. Whatever it was, he never let on. He loved his secrets, too."
SERVICES
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 10:00am-1:00pm at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. Graveside Services will be held that afternoon at 2:00pm at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with Air Force Honors.
For personal acknowledgement, please sign the online guestbook at www.missionparks.com in the Tributes section.
MISSION PARK FUNERAL CHAPELS NORTH
3401 CHERRY RIDGE DR.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78230
(210) 349-1414