Obituary of Glenn Alred, Jr.

Glenn Alred Jr., 90, of Snellville, passed away peacefully at home on January 12, 2018 with family at his side. Glenn was born and raised in Thomasville, GA. Upon his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theatre with the 1st Division, 7th Cavalry, during the later stages of World War II. After leaving service in the Army as a Staff Sergeant, he graduated with a BS degree from the University of Florida at Gainesville. He has done work towards a Masters at the University of North Carolina and at Springfield College in Springfield, MA. Glenn started his leadership career as a field representative working with young people in YMCA and Boy Scout activities. His civilian federal career began in 1959 when he joined the VA Domiciliary at Thomasville, GA, first as Chief, Recreation Therapy, and later as Assistant Director of Domiciliary Services. In 1965 he transferred to the VA Center at Bay Pines, FL as Assistant Director of Domiciliary Services. From 1966-67 he located to the Washington D.C. VA Hospital as a Management Analyst trainee. He then transferred to the Mountain Home, TN VA Hospital for three years as Management Analyst. In 1970 he was selected as Assistant Hospital Director trainee at Chicago (Research) VA Hospital, and in 1971 he joined the staff of the Fort Meade VA Hospital in Sturgis, SD, as Assistant Hospital Director. In the fall of 1972, Glenn was appointed Assistant Hospital Director at the Topeka, KS VA Hospital. After an assignment at the VA Central Office in Washington D.C., Glenn was named as Director of the Sioux Falls, SD VA Medical Center in 1977. In 1980, he was named Director of the Atlanta VA Medical Hospital and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1992. Glenn was a huge sports enthusiast. He was a member of the State champion football team his senior year in Thomasville, and later played outfield for the University of Florida baseball team. He remained a life- long Florida Gator supporter and fan. He played for years on neighborhood ALTA and USTA tennis teams and enjoyed golf outings with family and friends. He also loved watching the Atlanta Braves and all the sports and activities his grandchildren were involved, including baseball, soccer, and gymnastics, and those piano and ballet recitals. Glenn is survived by, Bettyann, his wife of 65 years; daughters Karen Valades (Vincent) of Fort Collins, CO and Katrina Eich (Dale) of Snellville, GA; sister Sara Smith (Wendell) of Mahomet, IL; grandchildren Joel Valades (Carrie) of Loveland, CO, Brenna Neinke (Rye) of Loveland, CO, Jeremy Valades of Loveland, CO, Adam Eich (Mary) of Hoschton, GA; Trevor Eich (Jessica) of Nashville, TN, and Jourdan Eich of Snellville, GA; great grandchildren Addison and Owen Eich of Hoschton, GA; and sister-in-law Madeleine Alred of Thomasville GA. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents Glenn Sr. and Maggie Alred, brother James Alred ,and nephew Stewart Alred. The family would like to express sincere appreciation to homecare providers Roslyn, Antoinette, and Debra, Helping Hearts Hospice of Snellville, and all providers involved in Glenn’s loving care. Graveside services will be held at 11:30 am, Thursday, January 18th at Laurel Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends 10-11 am, before the service at Allen & Allen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Glenn’s memory to any favorite Veteran organization.