On the morning of January 9, 2024, the world lost a “gentle giant”, Glenn Lee Gathers. Comforted by the love and presence of family, he passed away peacefully at Salina Regional Health Center following a brief unforeseen illness.
Glenn was born on July 11, 1949 at Concordia Hospital to Delmar and Veda (Proctor) Gathers of Miltonvale, Kansas. His childhood was filled with the simpler joys of small-town life, where the values were traditional, and the pace of life was slow. Being raised on the cusp of an era in which families built businesses in the neighborhoods where they lived, Glenn spent his spare time working for his dearest friend Mr. Turner at the local market or helping out at the Gathers Hardware Store, a multigeneration endeavor that served the true pioneers of the “DIY” home improvement trend.
After graduating from Miltonvale High School in 1967, Glenn began his postsecondary education at Miltonvale Wesleyan College, transferring in 1969 to Friends University in Wichita where he completed requirements to obtain a B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1972.
Glenn’s career choice was cemented when he attended the Kansas Police Academy in Hutchinson, kickstarting a journey of public service that lasted nearly four decades. His journey began at Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office in Beloit, Kansas, as Deputy Sheriff (1972-1973) and two years as Undersheriff (1974-1976), he found his “forever home” with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office as Deputy Sheriff, and Detective in the latter of his career. Glenn proudly served and protected the citizens of Saline County from 1976 until his retirement in 2007.
A few years after moving to Salina, Glenn married his best friend and love of his life, Ginger Klug, on May 11, 1981. Whether by volunteering at Saline Co. Fire District No. 5. or channeling his inner Burt Reynolds while he fostered his childhood affection for CB radios at Ka.Comm., it seemed he was rarely still, always staying busy even outside of his life at the Sheriff’s Office. When he wasn’t serving the good citizens of Saline County or ordering the Trucker Special and a vanilla milkshake at Bayard’s, he found happiness in adventuring with his family – always ready for a motorcycle cruise on the open road, RV camping at Milford Lake, attending live concerts (notably, Motley Crue), or showing up to nearly every one of his grandchildren’s birthday parties or other family function, no matter the distance. He was also a member of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association as well as the Harley Owner’s Group.
Glenn lived a wonderful life, full of family, friends, and fond memories. He was predeceased by his parents, Delmar and Veda, and an older brother, Richard, who died at birth. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 42 years, Ginger; his children, Greg (Sheri) Klug of Showlow, AZ, Denet (Scott) Brightbill of Salina, and Greg (Maura) Gathers of Topeka; ten grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Jorden, Natasha, Alyssa, Gage, Hayley, Keaton, Audrey, Paityn, Alex, and Arabella; and a host of former colleagues and friends.
The inscription published under Glenn’s yearbook photo summarized his life perfectly, “All who knew him loved him.” And we will continue to search for him in all of life’s simple beauties.
Funeral service will be 1:00 pm Monday, January 15, 2024 at Ryan Mortuary, with Pastor Blaine Herron as officiant. A catered lunch will be provided following the service. Visitation will be the hour prior to the service at the mortuary. Private burial will be in Dover Cemetery, Dover, Kansas.