Thomas E. Glass Jr.

Thomas E. Glass Jr., born May 26, 1918 in Springdale, Ark., and passed away June 28, 2016. Graduated from Springdale High School 1936. Served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He remained in the reserves and was reactivated for the Korean War serving on the carrier USS Essex. Married Helen Gann in Jan. 1946. Two sons; Gary born 1949 and Thomas III born 1954. (Thomas III died in Sept. 1994). His working career was with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) from the late 1940's until his retirement in 1976. He began with the, then known as, CAA in traveling around Middle America installing equipment for aircraft navigation. He later moved into office and management positions that included instrument landing systems. He was a long time participant in the People to People organization sponsoring foreign officers who were attending the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. He and Helen sponsored 36 Norwegian officers and their families. For this service, both Tom and Helen received the St. Olav Medal from the King of Norway in October 1985. This is the highest civilian award from the country of Norway. It is generally given only to citizens of Norway plus foreign royalty and heads of state. The Glass family also sponsored officers from other countries early in their association with People to People. They sponsored foreign nursing students at the KU Medical Center. Helen Glass died December 2010 after over 64 years of marriage. Tom Glass moved to California in 2011. He was an avid golfer. Was always proud to say he had "shot his age" every year since he was 79. He won his senior golf group at age 90 and decided it was a good time to give up golf. (The allied officers at the school at Fort Leavenworth, participate in a one year course of study. They typically bring their family for the year in the US. The sponsors, such as my parents, acted as friends and provided assistance with people trying to cope with foreign ways of business. As such, my parents have a large number of close friends in Norway.) Memorial service will be held Monday July 18 at 2 p.m. at the Indian Heights United Methodist Church, 10211 Nall Ave, Overland Park, Kan. 66207. Burial to follow at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Fond memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.