James Leroy Glenn passed away Saturday, January 6, 1996.
How fortunate we are to have known such a wonderful person and friend. Unknown to most, Jim suffered from terminal cancer. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.Jim was born February 13, 1936 in Osawatomie, Kansas. Graduated from Osawatomie High, Class of 1954. He married Patricia Verlee Wood February 22, 1957. Jim had a very active life, and he had accomplished more than most do in a single lifetime, considering himself lucky. He was an outstanding and dedicated naturalist.
From living things to large geological formations or simple tracks in the desert sand, Jim always took time to look and wonder. Most of all, Jim loved reptiles, particularly snakes. For the last 22 years Jim operated the Venom Research Laboratory at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City. During that time he was also associated with Hogle Zoo's reptile department-for 10 years as the zoo's reptile curator and for the last 12 years as a consultant to the reptile department. His knowledge of snakes' venoms was possibly second to none. Jim published more than 50 papers in various scientific journals about snakes, venoms, antivenins and biomedical applications of toxins. Especially important to Jim was the geological distrubution of diverse toxins in rattlesnake venoms. He collected thousands of individual samples from rattlesnakes throughout North and South America and Mexico. His publications will serve as a lasting testament to his outstanding contributions.
Survived by his parents, Vera and Delbert Weaver of Osawatomie, Kansas; daughters, Dawn Verlee Dixon and Gaye Lynn Glenn; son-in-law, Thomas Dixon, Jr.; granddaughter, Jessica Verlee Dixon, and grandsons, Thomas Dixon III (Judy), and Timothy James Dixon, all of Salt Lake City; brother-in-law, Pat Lock, and nephew, Grant Hadley Lock of Jefferson, Missouri; and loyal assistnat, Bob Nohavec of Salt Lake; Jim also leaves many, many other relatives, friends and colleagues who will all miss him greatly.
Preceded in death by his wife and love, Patricia; his sister-in-law, Janie Mae Lock; mother and father-in-law, Martha and Ralph Wood.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 13, 1996 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, in Osawatomie, Kansas. A memorial services will be held on Janaury 17, 1996, at 11 a.m. in Salt Lake City, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been started at Utah's Hogle Zoo in Jim's honor.
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