Glen Leroy Fernandez

Glen “Glenbow” Leroy Fernandez, 70, of Tacoma, Washington, passed away peacefully on 5/23/2013. Glen was born to Herman and Carrie (Wyant) Fernandez in Canton, Ohio on 7/18/1942. He graduated from Canton South High School where he was an Eagle Scout, YMCA lifeguard and track letterman. He joined the Navy where he trained to be an Optician. Glen worked as an optician for 44 years working early on with Western Optical and most recently with Lens Crafters. He always enjoyed going to work to help improve the lives of others. Glen was married to the love of his life, Carole (Nelson) on 8/20/1983 in Tacoma Washington; they were happily married 30 years. He cherished memories of the road trips with his favorite gal; especially the trip to Canada where they stayed at the cabin and went out fishing and shared special moments together. Glen was a lobbyist, PTA member and a member of the Sedro Woolley and Tacoma Jaycees. He believed that service to humanity was the best work of life. Glen fell in love with the Pacific Northwest when he docked in to the Seattle ports as a Navy core man over 52 years ago. He was an avid hunter, fisher and archer. He also enjoyed camping with friends and family, golf and windsurfing. He was actively involved in the Washington State Archery Association and belonged to the Tacoma Sportsman Club, the Skookum Archers Club and the Capital City Bowman and Grays Harbor Bowman. He was also a member of the Gig Harbor Puget Sound Anglers and Eyes in the Woods volunteer. He was always at home in the great outdoors. Glen was a family man. From his early years taking care of his 4 siblings, he was someone you looked up to and gave you guidance. He loved his children and grandchildren. He taught them to value themselves and value others. He often found opportunity to travel and share in live events. Over the years you could find him watching his son’s football game at Sparks Stadium, watching his daughter play softball, bonding with his son hunting in the Naches forest, cheering for his daughters relay team at the Lincoln bowl, sitting on a hard bench watching his grand daughter’s gymnastics or his grandson’s wrestling match, watching his grandson quarterback the football team, giving his grandchildren the coins from the purple bag and teaching his granddaughter to fish. He instilled his appreciation of the outdoors by camping and fishing with all of them. Glen built special bonds with each of them. They were all, “His favorite”. Glen is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Carole Fernandez of Tacoma Washington; siblings, Mary Jane and Jim Lyons of Canton Ohio, Nancy Drake of Chickamauga Georgia; children, Brian and Ruby Fernandez of Hayward, California, Jolynne Garcia and Brian Hane of Benton City, Washington, Brad Fernandez and Rachel Darlington of Great Falls Montana, Carrie and Jim Newby of Concrete Washington, Candy Winder of Tacoma Washington; grandchildren, Melissa and Noah Baker of Spokane Washington, Dallas and Dalton Newby of Concrete Washington, Seth Garcia of Benton City Washington; Richmiel Fernandez of Hayward California, Kylor and Alyssa Valle of Great Falls, Montana, Madilyn Hane of Benton City, Cameron and Molly Hane of Wenatchee, Dani Winder of Tacoma Washington, Brittany Winder of San Diego California, Glen is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Carrie Fernandez of Canton Ohio; brother, William Fernandez of Massilon Ohio; and sister, Carol Fernandez of Madison Heights, Virginia. Memorial Service to be held at 4pm, Thursday, June 6, 2013 at the VFW Post 91, 2000 S. Union Street, Tacoma, Washington 98405. Donations may be made in memory of Glen to “Eyes in the Woods” PO Box 2406, Olympia, WA 98507. http://eyesinthewoods.org The family of Glen Leroy Fernandez wishes to express our appreciation to Danny Croft and Kyle Winton for the friendships you had with Glen. You not only stood at his side through the good times, you were there to help him through the tough times. You reached out with you hands and touched his heart. The family also wants to thank the staff of Tacoma General Hospital and Pierce County Hospice for the exceptional care they provided in his final days. Glen was a loving husband and wonderful father and friend. He will be missed…