Loyd Glenn McMennamy

Loyd Glenn McMennamy
Loyd Glenn McMennamy

There Rode a Legend

Glenn McMennamy passed away on September 23, 2020 and was laid to rest in a private family ceremony.  When he was born in Catarina, Texas in 1933 to Dixie and Orval McMennamy, they could not have imagined all that their determined son would accomplish in his 87 years on earth. They set an example for Glenn and his brother Jerry and sisters Nita and Darlene through extremely hard and physically demanding work.  Though times were tough, he recalled that he was always well cared for and that his family had a good attitude.

Glenn graduated from Amarillo High School in 1951, then attended Texas A&I and Amarillo College.  Following a job as a shop-boy at an electric company during high school, he became an apprentice electrician.  After service in the Navy as an aviation electrician, he married his high school sweetheart, Beverly.  He decided not to complete a degree as an electrical engineer.  Instead, Glenn wrote his own rules and started his own company, A-1 Electric, which he would operate successfully for 38 years until his retirement in 1996.

Glenn and Beverly’s family grew to a party of five with their daughters Apryl, Robyn, and Torri.  Keith, Brittany, Abby, Garrett, and Colton are the five grandchildren who came along, followed by two great-grandsons, Dawson and Benicio Glenn.  One of the many wonderful joys that Glenn and Beverly shared with their family was a love for travel.  Avid NASCAR fans, they took their daughters on annual trips to the Indianapolis 500, among other exhilarating races.  They travelled extensively, both nationally and internationally and loved absorbing other cultures.

Words are not sufficient to describe Glenn’s character and larger-than-life presence.  He had a tough, gruff, handsome cowboy exterior.  On the inside was a heart of the purest gold and empathy for others.  He was never at a loss for words and never shied away from unleashing a cowboy cussing, yet he was not afraid to shed a tear from his charming blue-green eyes.  Glenn was truly a self-made man who never forgot his roots.  He endeavored to help others in any way that he possibly could.  He was a man of his word and always followed through with his intentions, no matter what challenges or stumbling blocks presented themselves.

Glenn loved to stick his neck out and take risks.  He thrived on friendly competition in both business and personal life, whether in a poker game or a bet on a race.  His years of cowboy life, including bulldogging and roping left their share of scars but he was never one to complain, all the way to the very end of his days. He imparted wisdom whenever possible.  If you knew Glenn, he likely told you his top two vital ingredients to a happy life: A career that you love and the best mattress you can afford.  He likely told you that above all, you must respect others and strive to be a person whom others respect.  One of his favorite gems of wisdom was, “It’s five-o-clock somewhere!”

Glenn always felt the selfless desire to give back to his community through civic and charitable action.  The common thread among the countless boards on which Glenn chaired and served was a passion for improving the Amarillo area.  He was instrumental in the development of the Fairgrounds as a board member and past president of the Tri-State Fair Association.  Other notable board memberships and chairmanships included: The Bivins Foundation, Khiva Shrine Temple (Past Potentate), Amarillo Area Foundation, Amarillo Event Center, Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, Northwest Texas Hospital, Maverick Boys Club, Amarillo Airport Zoning, and Amarillo Chamber of Commerce.  He was a lifetime member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and was elected Cowboy of the Year for the Tri-State Area in 1996 and Man of the Year in 2011.  He also held the positions of Governor and President of the local chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Glenn had his own unique style in all that he did.  Friends and family fondly remember his signature way of saying goodbye as, “Down the road!” A memorial celebration of his life is planned for Wednesday, September 30th at 11:00 am at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in the Amarillo National Bank Building.  Because of his contributions to the Fair Association, it will be a great honor to memorialize his extraordinary life on the grounds.  It will be an honor for all who knew and loved him to bid him a final farewell now that he is on down the road of life.

 

17 Replies to “Loyd Glenn McMennamy”

  1. Oh, how I loved Glenn.. One of my dad’s best friends. The two of them made life bigger and better. He delivered horses to us in Tyler, played hard with us at Indy, was a tower of strength when my dad passed, and I was so happy to talk to him a few years ago as we passed through Amarillo. I am sending all the hugs and love in the world from mom and I. We love your family, and cherish the great memories we made together. Your tribute was perfect as was his great picture. He is cherished and loved always. I know he and daddy are raising… you know what.. together in heaven. I can’t wait to hug he and daddy and a few others down the road. Blessings and prayers

  2. Glenn was a shipmate of mine in the Navy and one the best men I ever had the pleasure of knowing. We were both aviation electricians and spent many a liberty together looking for trouble. God Bless you Mac, as you sail to your new duty station, we will miss you.

  3. My sympathies for Hlens family. My mother Wanda Moore knew Beverly and i knew Glenn as a friend of Collie Cahill and then Homer. He was always a great man.

  4. A true cowboy gentleman. I totally enjoyed every time I was with him. He had very direct wisdom. His brand is on a lot of people, places and activities in the area. Truly one of a kind.

  5. What an amazing man! He taught me a lot about giving to your community. I loved our political debates when I was in college! Rest In Peace Uncle Glenn – give Aunt Beverly a big hug for me!!

  6. What a fantastic life he experienced. He was definitely a strong , independent and intelligent man.
    Loved reading all about him!
    Marianne Pritchard Stubbs

  7. Thank you Mac, you were a great father in-law, the many hours of conversation we shared were priceless, you always gave me sound advice and was always kind, truly enjoyed the hunting stories you shared. Again thanks for treating me like a son. Rest in Heaven, James

  8. Loved time around Beverly and Glenn. They were unique and always will b in my heart . Robyn and I have been best friends for more than 35 years. She is the best of both her parents. C y’all. Down the road…….

  9. A wonderful life story for a life well lived! Thank you, uncle for the wisdom you shared so freely, and the wonderful stories of growing up in this unique family. Your legacy is an example for us all to try and achieve.
    Down the road pard….

  10. My first impression of Glenn was as a kid, but it was clear even then that he was someone that a man should aspire to be. He always exhibited a strong & confident presence with a clear vision of right from wrong even when others might seem to “go with the flow”. In a word, Integrity; he always said what he meant and meant what he said. I will always remember his advice and help during a tough time, and I still remember the picture he used to make his point (bulldogging with a rooster tail of mud off his heals @ Cheyenne Frontier Days). Blessings and prayers to all.

  11. I loved Glenn for many reasons… his sprit, his understanding of “right and wrong”. his competitive attitude.. and his support!!
    and his “get er done” attitude..
    A good man!!

  12. Such a beautifully written obituary that paints a picture of an independent, generous, complicated man who worked to make Amarillo a better place for all.

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