Glenn C. Archibald

Glenn C. "Archie" Archibald, 84, of Glen Burnie, passed away peacefully at his home of 41 years on Saturday, February 27, 2010. Mr. Archibald was born in 1926 at his family home in Gillispie, IL, to Arthur and Alma Archibald.  He had an interesting entrance to the world, coming in as breech baby at 12 pounds!  A depression-era child he grew up in a hard working home in a very small town and worked at his father's gas station as a young man and as a pin setter in a local bowling alley.  He worked in the coal mines in southern Illinois for three weeks and decided that this was not the life he wanted, and joined the Navy by lying about his age to enlist.  He served all around the world, including Italy and Iceland and many places stateside, and on many Navy cruisers and aircraft carriers  carriers The Boxer and The Essex and also is considered to be an "Atomic Veteran", as he was present during the H bomb testing in the Bikini Islands.  Glenn earned his GED during his tour in the Navy at age 25 and was very proud of that accomplishment. He played on intramural basketball and softball teams for the Navy. He desired to serve one more tour, however, at the protestations of his wife and children decided to retire in 1968 after 25 years of dedicated and honored service as a Senior Chief Personnel Man.  He settled his family in Glen Burnie where they have remained.

After retiring from the Navy, Glenn worked for Allstate Insurance Company, earning their coveted "Good Hands Award."  He eventually worked for the United States Government at Fort Meade and ending at the Naval Air Station in Anacostia.    Mr. Archibald also held various other jobs to support his family including working at Hi-Way Liquor Fair, H&R Block and briefly as a licenced real estate agent.  He also had an entrepreneurial spirit and was a commissioned salesman of military and Maryland themed items. Glenn was an avid and accomplished ten pin bowler and was a member for many years of the Pioneer Men's League in Glen Burnie.  In his day he had many near-misses for 300 games, never quite getting that perfect one, but always striving to do his best.  He enjoyed horse racing most especially the trotters.  He was an excellent cook and for many years provided his famous chili and home fries to community events. His fried chicken was an oft requested dish when people visited from out of town. Glenn loved to read, most especially political thrillers, crime novels, self-improvement and enhancement books and books on sports.  He followed the Orioles and Ravens and was a Boston Celtics fan.  He also enjoyed boxing and watching sports on television.  He was a fan of Law & Order, political talk shows and police drama's.  In his later years Glenn enjoyed listening to books on tape and always liked to be engaged in and part of life.  Known to some at "Mr. Outstanding" because of his oft spoke phrase when asked how he was "Outstanding!"  He had a wonderful attitude and always saw the glass as half full. He was a member of American Legion Post 40, VFW Post 160 and Fleet Reserve Branch 212 of which he was a former past president, a position he held proudly.  He was also a member of the Military Order of the Cootie.  He and his late wife often enjoyed spending time at these facilities and enjoyed sharing "war stories" with other veterans.  Glenn was extremely proud to serve the country he so loved in the United States Navy that he adored.

Glenn was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Jean, his daughter, Sandra Mondragon and his sister Darlene Ronald.  He is survived by his children, Carolyn Cadogan and her husband Joe, son Glenn J. Archibald and daughter Elaine Archibald and his former son-in-law Frank Mondragon all of Glen Burnie.  He is also survived by his brother Ronald and his wife Mary Kay of Illinois and his nieces Evie Stankoven and her husband Dick and Sandy Skeldon and her husband Ronnie of South Carolina.  Also survived by many other nieces and nephews. Glenn had many animal companions (also known as the grand-cats and grand-dogs!). He was a wonderful husband, father and provider and will be missed dearly by his loved ones and friends. Glenn had a kind and gentle passing, which was fitting for a kind and gentle man.