Memorial services for Glenn Louis Blessman, 83, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Livingston, Texas with Rev. James Frazier officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, January 30, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas. Graveside services will be held Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Earthman Resthaven Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

Glenn Blessman, 83, died January 22, 2015, at home after a brief illness surrounded by family, close friends, and his dog, Corky. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert and his brother, Harold. He is survived by his wife, partner and soulmate of 58 years, Margaret Elaine Blessman (nee Bartlett), three children (David Blessman of Portland, Oregon, Cynthia Blessman of Houston, Texas, and Diana Blessman of Atascocita, Texas) and their spouses (Joanne Truesdell, Jon Moody and Joan Reynolds), ten grandchildren (Maygen and Scott Blessman, Tess Baker, Adam Gamudi, Erica and Tim Faircloth, Rachel Moody, Dalton, Drake and Danica Flood), three great-grandchildren (Korbyn and Aurora Byrd, and Shannon Faircloth), and his sister, Shirley Soucek, nephew, John Jenness and niece, Ruth Blessman.

Born in Peoria, Ill., on June 20, 1931, to Altgeld Blessman and Martha Heinold, he moved with his family to Tucson, Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona and then joined the Marine Corps for two years of active duty during the Korean War, reaching the rank of Sergeant, and then was a member of the reserves for eight years until 1960.

After receiving his degree from the University of Arizona in 1954, Glenn then began a successful career in retail management with most of those years with Montgomery Ward in northern California, as well as in Reno, Nevada, Huntsville, Alabama, and Houston, Texas, and then with Gordon Jewelers in Houston and Sam's Club in Houston and Corpus Christi.

He then retired to a life spent with family and friends in the Lake Livingston area. Devoted also to his church family in the United Methodist Church, he continued a life of service that began many years earlier and continued throughout his life, especially at Klein United Methodist Church for 23 years and First United Methodist in Livingston for 12 years, and volunteering for UM Army, Habitat for Humanity, Helping Hands, Mannafest and Noah's Helpers.

Glenn also will be remembered for his unwavering support and love for his family, his strong faith, his willingness to help anyone in need, his love of reading and fishing and especially his fondness for spending time with friends and family. His "can do" spirit led him to start and complete many projects for others and his family, including—at 83—building a deck on his home this past spring, so that friends and family could gather for holiday celebrations and social gatherings hosted by Margaret and him.

He taught others by being an example, whether it was a love of learning and reading books, doing good works for others including people he did not know, being a friend and companion to everyone, and unconditionally loving his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Glenn's honor to any of the following organizations—Helping Hands, Noah's Helpers or Mannafest—which can be made care of First United Methodist Church, 2801 Highway 190 West, Livingston, TX 77351

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .