Glenn James Ballentine's Obituary
Glenn James Ballentine was born in Salisbury, MD on January 31st, 1937, to parents Glenn and Blanche (McLain) Ballentine. He passed away peacefully on July 7th, 2025, in Glenpool, OK. Glenn's family moved to Ocean City, MD. and he graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1955, where he was President of the National Honor Society and lettered in Track. He received a scholarship to Washington College.
As a teenager, Glenn loved growing up near the ocean and had numerous jobs, such as renting umbrellas on the beach, selling newspapers on the Boardwalk, and making Saltwater Taffy at Dolly's Candy Land. He owned a 1939 Indian Four motorcycle and thoroughly enjoyed riding it on the beach. After college, Glenn moved to the Baltimore area and worked as a Marine Electrician for some time. Enlisting in the Army, Glenn was trained as a sniper and was assigned to the Baltimore-Washington area Missile Defense Unit as a Computer and Radar Operator.
Glenn worked for several large companies on the Baltimore waterfront as an Electrical Foreman and Plant Engineer until he moved in 1973 to St. Joseph, MO, and began working at the St. Joseph State Hospital, retiring in 2006 as Chief Engineer after 33 years of service. On September 2nd, 2000, Glenn married Cheryl Smith in a garden wedding in Weston, an artsy town near Kansas City. After his retirement, Cheryl and Glenn moved to Broken Arrow, OK. He quickly became a neighborhood favorite for backyard gatherings on summer evenings, especially the bar-b-que ribs. He was a very accomplished craftsman and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help.
Glenn loved traveling to visit family and friends; and, after many years, he and Cheryl went back to Ocean City. He loved seeing the places he grew up with, devouring crab cakes, visiting with family, and even parasailing over Ocean City. Key West became our favorite getaway spot and holds a special place in our hearts. Glenn often said it reminded him of Ocean City and loved the sailboat sunset cruises that were our very favorite vacation experience.
Glenn is survived by his wife, Cheryl, Stepdaughter, Stephanie Smith Coffman (Curt), Phoenix; Stepson Jeff Smith (Katie), St. Charles, MO; beloved Step-Grandchildren Ellie, Milo, and Cooper Smith, St. Charles, MO, and cousin, Ben Lewis, Roanoke, Virginia. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Arthur Ballentine.
In accordance with Glenn's wishes, there will be a private Memorial Service in Key West for him at a later date.
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