Glen Marshall McFarlin died on Thursday, February 9, 2012. He was just 63 years young, but he left this world just as he lived in it—looking forward to what was coming next.

Glen was born in Milwaukee, WI, on March 13, 1946, the second of four kids of Ralph Marshall and Peggy June McFarlin. While he was still a pre-schooler, his family moved to the Golden Acres area of Pasadena, TX, and he attended public school in the Deer Park Independent School District, graduating in 1966.

In 1968, he married the love of his life and lifelong best friend, Patricia Sue Staashen of LaPorte. Glen and Sue were blessed with two children, John Marshall McFarlin and Cyndi Renae (McFarlin) Pitaro. John shared with Glen an appreciation for the outdoors. Cyndi and husband Mario Pitaro gave Glen two of the best gifts he ever received in his grandchildren, Jacob and Katerina. Glen loved and adored them and saw them every chance he could. If it’s not already obvious, Glen adored his family more than anything. He worked hard to provide for them, but he also worked hard to make sure that they always knew he loved them. He learned these traits from his parents.

Glen was a member of the ROTC while a student at the University of Texas at Austin, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1971. Immediately after graduation in 1971, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force; he attended the University of Texas for an additional year, earning a second bachelor’s degree in meteorology. After discharge from the Air Force, Glen joined the Air Force reserves where he earned the rank of Captain.

Glen and Sue moved to Blanco in May of 1997 where they operated his business as an environmental consultant to the petroleum industry as well as their bed and breakfast, Green Gables. But Glen’s work was only part of who he was; he approached life with an engineer’s curiosity, but it was always couched in sincere friendliness and compassion. He enjoyed good conversation and always seemed to have more questions than there were answers available; he just wanted to understand.

Glen was a photographer, a scuba diver, he loved traveling, he was president of the Old Blanco City Courthouse Preservation Society, he helped his father build an airplane in the family garage, and he could make a gloriously refreshing fruit smoothie. Like his dad, he gave very good bear-hugs. Glen was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, most recently as a choir member in the Blanco United Methodist Church and serving as Administrative Council Chairperson.

Glen was a son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He leaves behind wife Sue of Blanco, son John of Kerrville, daughter Cyndi Pitaro and her husband Mario of Phoenix, AZ, grandchildren Jacob and Katerina of Phoenix, AZ, step-mother Chris McFarlin of Austin, sister Marjorie Lucas and husband Doug of Pasadena, sister Christina Hayes and husband Randy of La Porte, sister Gayle Offerman and husband Russell of New Braunfels, step-sisters Roseann Tinsley of Houston, Lynny Moore of San Marcos, and Marlene Clark of Austin, step-brother Frank Remmert of Gardner, CO, and dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

He was a good man in every sense of the word, and, while we mourn his loss, we rejoice at knowing that he joined his loving parents in Heaven. God bless you Glen, as you were a blessing to all who knew you.

Arrangements are provided by Crofts Funeral Home in Blanco, 512-833-4523. There will be a gathering at 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, at the family home, 401 Green Gables, in Blanco where family and friends will celebrate his life. All who knew him and would like to participate are encouraged to attend. A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, at Blanco United Methodist Church with a visitation following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society, PO Box 302, Blanco, TX 78606.