Glenn Vallance

Glenn Gustin Vallance died Oct. 28, 2003, when a tree fell on his car at South Whidbey State Park during a very severe windstorm. Glenn Vallance was born Aug. 16, 1913, in Patterson, Mo., to Edward Harvey and Margaret Belle (Gustin) Vallance.

Mr. Vallance was raised in Missouri, one of two boys in a family with eight daughters. He learned construction from his father, who was a contractor. Glenn quit school after the eighth grade and left home at the age of 15. He soon began a lifetime of building.

Mr. Vallance joined the Carpenters Union and spent more than 50 years as a member, much of the time serving as superintendent on major projects. He was responsible for a significant portion of the high-rise buildings in the Houston, Texas, area. He spent time at Rice University receiving specialized training in concrete engineering. Glenn’s building skills also took him to San Francisco, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Saudi Arabia and Greenland. He spent more than 20 years, building in the Houston area. He also trained and worked as an underwater demolition diver.

Mr. Vallance retired and in 1998, moved to Oak Harbor. He enjoyed hiking, camping, travel, western novels and Patsy Cline music. Four years ago, he became a camp host, working at Wenatchee, Deception Pass, Cornet Bay, Larrabee, Rasar, Rockport and South Whidbey state parks. Most of his time was dedicated to South Whidbey State Park, a task he thoroughly enjoyed.

Glenn was a member of Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church, the Lions Club of Morrison, Colo., and F&AM of Houston, Texas.

Mr. Vallance is survived by his beloved former wife Mona Vallance of Mount Vernon; by one daughter and son-in-law, Cathie and John Koetje of Oak Harbor; and by two sons, Glenn Gustin “Mike” Vallance, Jr. and his wife Ann of Arleta, Calif. and Charles Lee “Pat” Vallance of Flint, Texas. One sister Ethel Wagner and five grandchildren, Frederick Vallance, Glenn Gustin Vallance III, Kimberly Vallance, Thomas Glenn Koetje and Sarah Koetje, also survive him.

Memorial services for Mr. Vallance will be held Monday, Nov. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor with Rev. John Brown officiating. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date.

Funeral arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington. This obituary is on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.